8 Jun 2010

Accountant's years of help and advice recognised

8:14 am on 8 June 2010

A man whose advice helped many farmers through the rural downturn of the late 1980s has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday honours.

Pita Alexander, who developed one of the largest farm accountancy practices in the country, has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to agriculture.

Mr Alexander has been providing advice to farmers, banks and agricultural organisations in New Zealand and Australia for 40 years.

South Canterbury farmer Tom Henderson, who played a leading role in the development of the multi-purpose Opuha dam, has also been named an Officer of the order of Merit.

The dam provides water for an irrigation scheme that is estimated to have created 480 jobs in the local community.

A prominent figure in the wool and meat industries has received the same award. Tony Timpson established the Cavalier Carpet Corporation. He also chaired the former Richmond meat company and was a director of the Wool Board and Wool Research Organisation.

Dairy scientist, cattle breeder honoured

Ruakura dairy scientist Arnold Max Bryant, who has been named a Member of the Order of Merit, has been researching herd management and dairy cow nutrition and providing practical advice to farmers for more than 30 years.

The same award has gone to an internationally known cattle breeder, Donald Thomas Ferguson. Cattle from his Ferdon Jersey Stud have been exported to many countries, including the Queen's Windsor herd.

And a Banks Pensinsula farming and conservation leader, Pam Richardson, also receives an MNZM.

Rural recipients of the Queens Service Medal include Peter Jensen of Bay of Plenty, for services to agriculture, and Allan Reid, of Canterbury, for services to shearing.