Honorary degree for prominent philanthropist

The University of Auckland will confer an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree on David Mace ONZM this week.

Honoris Causa degrees are one of the highest honours the University can bestow and recognise individuals who have made a significant contribution to the University’s own work and the communities they serve.

Mace joins a list of distinguished graduates including the former Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, the former Prime Minister, Helen Clark, and businessmen Douglas Myers and Hugh Fletcher. Just 50 have been awarded by the University since 1963.

Mace, who studied accounting and commerce at the University of Auckland, is a chartered accountant and former senior partner with Ernst & Young in both New Zealand and Hong Kong/China, where he was responsible for major corporate restructures and liquidations.

He then served as a commissioner for the United Nations Compensation Commission who were responsible for overseeing reparations for the 1991 Gulf War. The Commission, who reported directly to the UN Security Council in Geneva, dealt with $US330 billion worth of claims.

In the early 2000s he established Mace Consulting. The company provides market research, business opportunities and advice to investors and traders with relationships primarily between New Zealand, Hong Kong, Macau, and the People’s Republic of China.

Mace has been involved in many charitable organisations and activities, both here and in Asia for decades. As a Freemason for 55 years, including as Grand Master of the New Zealand Freemasons, he has been closely involved in their philanthropic works with the Freemasons Charity, the Hugh McDougall Rankin Education Trust and for the last 12 years as chairman of the Freemasons Foundation.

Mace is privately involved in a wide range of community and philanthropic roles. His trusteeships include the New Zealand Dementia Prevention Trust Board; he is a founding chair of what is now the Starship Children’s Hospital Trust and is currently deputy chair of the Centre for Brain Research Advisory Board at the University.

He is also a member of the Sir Maurice O’Rorke Society of the Chancellor’s Circle, who have donated more than $7 million to support the University of Auckland.

Mace who was awarded a New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community in 2011, has a particular interest in education and medical research. His Honorary Degree Ceremony will take place at the University on Wednesday 23 January.

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