A lasting legacy for a family dedicated to their community.
Sustainable support to respond to community needs.
With deep roots in Wairarapa, the Mace family lived and worked in Masterton from the 1860s. Community-minded with a strong ethos for giving back, the Roy and Jan Mace Trust was established through a significant gift made by Alma (Jan) Mace in 1990.
Mace family
Community-minded
For Roy and Jan Mace, playing an active role in the community was a crucial aspect of their lives. Generous with their time and resources, they both held memberships with a number of local organisations and committees.
Passionate about horse-racing, Roy was part of the Masterton Racing Club for many years and owned several horses.
A rich heritage
Originally from England, George Mace, Roy’s great-grandfather, came to New Zealand in the early 1840s. Having taken up the printing trade during his time in America, he would later make the long journey to Wellington where he initially settled in Te Aro. He quickly found success in business and established a number of companies including a butcher and tannery. By the 1860s, George had moved to Masterton where he joined a large network of farming families through the purchase of 3,146 acres of land on Castlepoint Road and the marriage of his son Walter to Emma Bennett, whose family owned Otahuao.
Settling in Wairarapa, George would choose the name Bramerton Station as a nod to the town where he was born in England. Walter and Emma would also make the farm their home, going on to have five children including Roy. Bramerton Station became an integral part of the Mace family life. It was later passed from George to Walter and then to Guy, Roy’s brother. On 14 March 1917, Guy boarded the troop ship Ruapehu as a rifleman drafted for World War 1. His wife and children would wait for his return on the farm, but Guy lost his life on the Somme battlefield in 1918. Roy took over management of Bramerton Station.
Mace family at Bramerton Station
Bramerton Station became an integral part of the Mace family life. It was later passed from George to Walter and then to Guy, Roy’s brother. On 14 March 1917, Guy boarded the troop ship Ruapehu as a rifleman drafted for World War 1. His wife and children would wait for his return on the farm, but Guy lost his life on the Somme battlefield in 1918. Roy took over management of Bramerton Station.
A couple’s legacy
Jan Mace
Alma Annie May Mace (Jan) was born in Fairfield, Australia. She came to New Zealand at the age of 24 to start a swimsuit business her plan was to stay for six months, but with the outbreak of war, she found herself unable to return home. When she first arrived in Masterton, she was struck by its natural beauty.
As a young man, Roy wanted to join the navy, but his father thought it best for him to return to the station after completing his studies. Married in 1938, Roy and Jan placed the heart in the home at Bramerton – regularly inviting those who didn’t have anyone to join them for Christmas dinner.
After Roy’s sudden passing in 1954, Jan tried to keep the station going but ultimately found it too much to manage on her own.
A gift to the community
Originally established through a generous gift of $200,000 in 1990, Jan would go on to leave a further $300,000 to the trust as part of her legacy. Ensuring the greatest impact, Nikau Foundation was later made corporate trustee and in 2022, the Trust was transferred, and the Roy and Jan Mace Fund was established with Nikau Foundation.
Dedicated to support the community in a range of areas, grants from the Fund help activities and initiatives that assist with poverty relief, the advancement of religion, the advancement of education, and other purposes that benefit the community.
Since the Fund was established with Nikau Foundation, it has supported many projects, including the delivery of counselling services for older people through Wellington-based organisation, Wellelder, the purchase of lawnmowers for inclusive, capability-building social enterprise, Mahi Tahi Tatou Charitable Trust and salaries for transitional housing facility, Shelter Masterton.