John Mazey

In John's words:

In early 1961 the position of chief ranger was advertised in all the main daily newspapers. Of the applicants applying for the position only one was a ranger. This was Mervyn Burke who was at that time employed by the Mount Cook National Park Board. The interviews were held in front of the full board at the Chateau Tongariro. During his interview Mervyn Burke either indicated or gave the impression that he was not now a serious contender for the position, leaving the field open for the other applicants. When the board interviewed John Mazey, the chairman made it clear at the start that they wished to appoint a person to manage the park and not just to be a working ranger. It was during quite a lengthy interview that a member, Bill Bridge, kept asking for details as to climbing experience. After John had explained more than once that he had had considerable experience in the mountains but did not consider himself to be a technical climber this did not seem to satisfy Bill Bridge. In the end the chairman was asked if the board wanted to appoint a manager or mountaineer. The chairman made it clear that they wanted a manager. The end result of the interviews was an offer to John Mazey to become chief ranger at £1,100 per year. Even though the salary was not very attractive John and wife Elizabeth both felt that they would enjoy the challenge of a different way of life.

At the time of the appointment John was 35 years of age with all his working life being involved with draughting, surveying and civil engineering. After a period as a draughtsman with the Christchurch Drainage Board he worked for a surveyor, then with the newly established North Canterbury Catchment Board. Married in 1948, he and wife Elizabeth lived in a two-room cottage while they built their first home. After nearly fourteen years with the catchment board John was a qualified draughtsman, held a certificate in surveying and mapping and was studying for professional engineering qualifications. For some years he was assistant engineer for the central district and at the time of appointment as chief ranger was called chief draughtsman in charge of survey, draughting and hydrological staff. All this experience was to prove of great value as manager of the park. From about age 16 he had been tramping, climbing, hunting and skiing in the Southern Alps and for some years had been a member of the North Canterbury Ski Club.

John was appointed Chief Ranger of Tongariro National Park in July 1961 and left to take up the Supervisor National Parks and Reserves role in 1974.