Interview with Ken Mason

Appointed Deputy Race Relations Conciliator in 1972. Born Oamaru, 1935. Talks about his family background - mentions his father Hector Mason's rugby career as part of the Maori All Blacks. Mentions not learning Te Reo as a child - recalls grandfather talking to aunts and uncles in Maori. Recalls attending Greymouth Technical High School and talks about growing up on the west coast of the South Island. Recalls meeting his wife Diane at school - mentions their marriage in 1960. Talks about studying law at Otago University before continuing his studies at Victoria University in Wellington. Recalls the establishment of the Victoria University Maori Club - mentions Miria Simpson, Reverend Kingi Ihaka, Whatarangi Winiata, Hoera Marumaru, Ringipo Bailey and Bill Kingi. Discusses his job at the Department of Maori Affairs an working with veterans of the 28th Maori Battalion - mentions Charles Bennett, Monty Wikiriwhi and Peta Awatere.

Talks about moving to Palmerston North in 1959. Discusses his job as District Solicitor for the Department of Maori Affairs. Mentions working for Jacobs, Gilliand & Florentine and becoming a partner - discusses his appointment to the Bench in Auckland in 1970, and being appointed to the Auckland Magistrates' Court in 1971. Talks about the creation of the Office of the Race Relations Conciliator, the establishment of the Auckland office and the initial media publicity. Discusses his appointment as Deputy Race Relations Conciliator in 1972 - mentions the appointment of Sir Guy Powles as Race Relations Conciliator and Pita Sharples as the Executive Officer. Also mentions the later appointment of Harry Dansey as Conciliator. Discusses the role of the media in the 'proliferation of misunderstanding' between cultures - emphasises the need for education. Recalls the introduction of the Marae Experience programmes, and the first programme that was organised for District Court judges. Discusses his understanding of the concepts of bicultural and multiculturalism - discusses the future of race relations in New Zealand.

Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian

Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching

Accompanying material - Copies of published articles from newspapers

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-012713, OHC-012714

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.47 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5444

Abstract Available - transcript(s) available.

Photocopied articles include copies of photographs of Ken Mason

Search dates: 1935 - 1999

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.