Loss of an Identity

Rodney Libraries would like to pay tribute to a character and a gentleman. Sir Gordon Mason, OBE, JP and one of the District's longest serving leaders passed away this morning after a long illness.

Gordon Charles Mason was elected to the then Rodney County Council in 1960. He was deputy chairman from 1963 to 1973 and chairman from 1973 to 1989. In 1989 he was elected as the new Rodney District’s first mayor after local government reorganisation and served in this capacity until his retirement from local politics in 1992. He was a Life Member of the Local Government Association and was recognised as being instrumental in merging the New Zealand Counties Association and the Municipal Association to form that Association in 1988.

This entertaining interview from the pages of the Mahurangi Matters gives more of an insight into the character of the man, whom I knew (as did so many others) as Hookie Mason. He was always ready with a smile and up for a chat.

Sir Gordon is survived by Lady Tui and three children.