Shepherd receives Order of Merit from mayor

Wanaka’s Max Shepherd (centre) and his family enjoyed a private investiture ceremony where Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult (far right) was authorised by Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro to confer the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit on Mr Shepherd yesterday.

Others in the photo are (from left) Bec Shepherd, Paul Wenk, Sophie Wenk, Lily Wenk, Max Shepherd, Lane Shepherd (front in wheelchair), Hugo Wenk, Deb Shepherd, Paul Clarke, Karen Boult.

Mr Shepherd was awarded the CNZM in last year’s Queen’s Birthday honours list, for services to biotechnology and business, but because his wife Lane had not been well, the couple had not been able to travel to Wellington to receive it in person from the Governor-General.