Mr Reeves, who died last March, posthumously received the NZPork’s Outstanding Contribution Award.
The founder of the New Zealand Pork Corporation wholesaling company, which became Porkcorp, farmed in the region for 40 years.
Porkcorp went on to buy the National Pig Breeding Company to maintain genetic diversity.
"John played a very significant part in initiatives which shaped local markets and led to the improvement of the genetic profile of the commercial pork herd throughout New Zealand. He cared deeply for the health of the industry, he was not afraid to have the challenging conversations and is remembered and respected as someone people could always call to discuss the sector."
Mr Reeves grew up in Wellington and began his working life as an electrician before inheriting family land at Saltwater Creek, near Kaiapoi, which included an old piggery.
He and his wife Carol went on to develop the farm and were joined in the business by son Darin, before developing their second pig farm at Sefton.
The award was announced at the NZPork annual conference in Wellington on July 30.
