William Mason (mayor)

William Mason (1810-1897) was an architect born in Ipswich, England. [William Mason: The First New Zealand Architect,1971 John Stacpoole] He learnt his profession under various architects: Thomas Telford, Peter Nicholson and Edward Blore. He practised architecture in his native town before emigrating to New South Wales in 1838, where he was employed by the colonial architect. In 1840 he set sail for New Zealand as a member of Governor William Hobson's party, thus becoming the first professionally trained architect in New Zealand.

Mason resided in Wellington, New Zealand for his first 22 years in the country. Given the limited requirement for new buildings in the early years of settlement he also earned a living as an auctioneer, politician and farmer.

He was elected to the New Zealand parliament, representing the Auckland Pensioner Settlements seat in the 3rd parliament from 1861 to 1866. He moved to Dunedin in 1862 to enjoy the opportunities the province offered due to the discovery of gold in the area. He was elected as the first Mayor of Dunedin in 1865; during his mayoralty he initiated the levelling of the town's streets and the creation of a proper water supply for the town.

Among his most important buildings are Government House in Auckland (1856), St Matthew's Church in Dunedin, and several other buildings in Dunedin that have been demolished: The Bank of New Zealand (1863), The Exhibition Building (1864) and The Post Office (1865).

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