Mason Popata

About Mason

Ki te taha o tōku pāpā

Ko Pua Paki Popata tōku koro,
Ko Maunga-taniwha te maunga,
Ko Tokerau te moana,
Ko Māmaru te waka,
Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi,
Ko Ngāti Kahu te hapū,
Ko Te Paatu te marae.

Ko Alice Ngareta Popata tōku kuia,
Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te waka,
Ko Ngāti Toro te iwi,
Ko Motukiore te marae.

Ko Mason Popata tōku ingoa.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi
“With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.”

Mason is a steel-cap-wearing, people-first project manager driven by kaupapa Māori and construction know-how—building better infrastructure (and teams) from the ground up, whether it's a wharf in the Solomons or a culvert in Nelson.

A skilled Project Engineer with over 10 years in Civil & Structural Engineering, he’s been leading complex construction projects across Aotearoa and the Pacific—ranging from large-scale infrastructure (e.g., Saxton Creek Stage 4, Jellicoe Wharf, London Bridge station redevelopment) to earthquake strengthening and land development.

• Proven strengths in site management, quality assurance, and contract administration.

• Skilled in client-facing roles, chairing meetings, and managing diverse stakeholders.

• Fluent in construction documentation: ITPs, SSSPs, environmental plans, cost-to-completes, and more.

• Strong hands-on understanding of construction—from concrete saws to CAD.

• Passionate about embedding health and safety and mātauranga Māori into project delivery.

• Nominated for Calibre’s “We Care for People’s Wellbeing” award for outstanding Covid-19 support.

• Graduate of the Whakatupu Māori Leadership Programme; previously part of the South Pacific Engineering Students Committee, mentoring and promoting engineering careers across Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga.

• Bonus: Fluent in te reo Māori and pursuing further language studies—demonstrating strong personal growth and commitment to cultural integration in engineering contexts.

“I’m a calm and practical team player who believes that strong relationships, clear communication, and a bit of humour are key to getting through high-pressure projects. I’m passionate about embedding mātauranga Māori in the workplace, mentoring younger engineers, and fostering a culture where safety and wellbeing aren’t just tick-boxes—they’re baked into how we show up every day. Outside work, you’ll find me recharging learning te reo Māori, trying to keep up with Dan Bradly in the gym or spending time with my whānau.

For a good read, Māori Made Easy by Scotty Morrison—essential for anyone wanting to strengthen their reo and connection to te ao Māori. I love the audio book version on audible. It makes learning super easy!”