The 2004 championships in Christchurch marked the first time men and women had played in the national championships together at the same venue.
McGregor's initiative was successful and the practice of holding the championships together has been continued.
The 13-day national championship starting in Dunedin on Tuesday and ending on January 9 has attracted 1010 bowlers - 690 men and 320 women.
It is the fifth time the two-green complex at the Taieri club has been the headquarters club for the national championships.
The other times were in 1988, 1992, 1997 and 2002.
The Taieri club, under convener Dick Hambleton, has been preparing for the event for the past 10 months.
It will be a busy time at the club because games will be played every day during the championships.
A small army of 50 volunteers from the club - part of the overall volunteer force of 700 - will be needed to mark singles games, provide lunches, staff the bar and tidy up at the end of each day.
The Taieri club has a big hall well equipped to cater for the large number of spectators expected.
Space has been provided for traders, who will display the latest bowls equipment and clothing, and for major sponsor Hyundai.
A temporary grandstand to hold 150 spectators has been erected beside the main green and there will be room for 500 spectators to watch games at the club.
Taieri greenkeeper and manager Robbie Gibson said "logistically a lot happens at the headquarters club.
I rolled and cut the green today to get it ready for next Tuesday".
Games will be played at no fewer than 28 clubs, ranging from Brighton to Palmerston, and much manpower is needed to make the event function.
Gibson said 60 lunches had to be provided at the Taieri club on the two days of section play in the singles, and 120 lunches for the two days of fours.
The combined total of lunches from all clubs needed for section play is 650 in the singles, 1400 in the pairs and 1200 for the fours.
Bowls will start at 8.30am and end around 5pm on most days.
The finals will be played at the Taieri headquarters green on January 4 (singles and pairs) and January 9 (fours).
Former international Mike Kernaghan won his 21st Bowls Dunedin title in the open pairs on Wednesday night.
Kernaghan, who won a bronze medal in the singles at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002, returned to his best form in the final at the St Clair green.
The Kaikorai pair of Steve Wilson and Kernaghan beat Brian Malcolm and Murray Wilson (Fairfield) 17-10.
It was the third centre title for Wilson.
It was an even game up until the 11th end when Kaikorai led 6-5.
But Kernaghan then used his experience to help pull away to lead 15-10 on the 16th end.
A three on the 14th end proved decisive and allowed Kaikorai to shut out Fairfield on the finalGraeme Hislop (Kaitangata) claimed the South Otago men's open title when he beat Bruce Campbell (Town and Country) 21-18 in a thrilling final on Wednesday night.
The win gave Hislop his third title for the season and takes his tally to 14 in his career.
New Zealand bowls championships
Dates: Tuesday, December 28 to Sunday, January 9.
Headquarters: Taieri Bowling Club.
Clubs used: 28.
Bowlers: 1010.
Volunteers: 700.
Finals: January 4 (singles and pairs), January 9 (fours).
