Justice of the peace John (Jack) McClean (88) found out a fortnight ago he had been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business.
A chartered accountant in the Southland region, Mr McClean and business partner Murray Malloch established Malloch McLean, which employed more than 70 people in Gore, Invercargill and Queenstown.
He was active in the practice until his retirement in 2007.
Mr McClean's wide knowledge of farming practices and agricultural businesses was well regarded, having been a director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in the 1970s and chairman of the Tourist Hotel Corporation, SouthFert and the Permanent Building Society in the 1980s and '90s.
He held directorships in the New Zealand Phosphate Company, United Building Society and various private companies, and was involved with the Invercargill Rotary Club for many years.
He served on the Council of Southland Presbyterian Social Services.
Mr McClean told the Otago Daily Times he was not expecting the honour: "It was out of the blue ... [Accountants] don't get many commendations at all."
Having moved to Queenstown from Southland six months ago, Mr McClean said he was now enjoying his retirement.
"It's time I had a couple of years off."
