In his mayoral address to the inaugural meeting of the West Otago Community Board, Mr Cadogan said Mr McPherson had made a huge contribution to the district.
When he retired, Mr McPherson had clocked up 46 years in local government, beginning in 1964 with the West Otago Rabbit Board.
He was elected to the West Otago Community Board in 1989, becoming its chairman, and was elected to the Clutha District Council as a councillor for West Otago in 1995.
He was appointed chairman of the district assets committee in 1998, and of zone 6 of Local Government New Zealand in 2004, holding both positions until his retirement.
"When I worked with him in my time on council, I learned that if he spoke, it paid to listen," Mr Cadogan said.
"He was a dedicated, hard-working councillor and got involved in the wider district. He really put in a good effort."
