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OPINION: The Hound was given a bit of a rev-up from a reader and a NZ Honours recipient for his comments back in January about the lack of rural representation in the 2024 New Year's Honours list.
Egan told Rural News that even more humbling has been “the many messages of support I have received since”.
Egan was awarded the ONZM in the New Year Honours List 2026 for services to the agricultural industry and the community.
Egan says he has reflected with gratitude on the many friends and family who have helped and supported him along the way.
“I know that I could not have achieved what I have without their support.”
Egan says it has been a privilege to hold senior leadership roles during his 33-year career in the primary sector including time spent as managing director for Greenlea Premier Meats, a family business.
“This has included being a representative on a number of industry organisations and in support of the Greenlea Foundation.
“During my time I have met many characters and we have faced many challenges, all of which have made me who I am today.
“Through receiving this award, I hope to emphasise this collective contribution and acknowledge the opportunities I have been given and in return help others in a similar way. This is a great and exciting sector and I am proud to have played a part in its success.”
Egan’s ONZM citation says while managing director of Greenlea Premier Meats, he championed sustainability initiatives aligned with environmental stewardship and was the Supreme Award winner at the 2012 Westpac Waikato Business Awards.
“He advocates for agribusiness education and has inspired numerous young New Zealanders to pursue careers in the primary industries through his leadership with the Agribusiness in Schools programme and Growing Future Farmers.
“He established the Greenlea Foundation Trust (GFT), a charitable arm which supports many initiatives, including Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust, Enrich+, Malvina Major Trust, and the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter. He was pivotal in supporting Hamilton’s St Vincent de Paul to build the largest food bank in the area, supporting more than 32,000 people annually.”
