Photo: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
A Taranaki philanthropist who had a lifelong interest in arts and the environment has died.
Dr George Mason's charitable trust provided millions of dollars for scholarships and grants.
In a tribute, New Plymouth's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery called Mason "a great supporter of arts learning" and "a major philanthropic contributor" to institutions across Aotearoa.
Mason's funding had allowed eight Taranaki secondary school students to pursue tertiary training in the visual arts since 2016.
With a lifelong interest in plants and the environment, he also donated "millions of dollars" for environmental and biological research, including postgraduate scholarships to study the natural environment in Taranaki, the gallery said.
"Through his Trust, Dr George Mason was a loyal and generous supporter of growing knowledge and empowering our young people to follow their interests into the fields of art and science," the gallery said in its tribute.
"He set an astounding example of a philanthropist who only wanted others to benefit.
"He will be sadly missed by a great many but leaves a remarkable legacy."
He also established the George Mason Centre for the Environment, based at Auckland University.
George Mason became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2020.