James Alastair Hay Guild, of High Peak Station, Darfield, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the deer industry.
Mr Guild is a farmer and tourism operator who has been active in the deer industry for more than forty years.
Mr Guild has been a councillor and President of New Zealand Deer Farmers Association, Director of the Game Industry Board, Director of the Cervena Trust, inaugural Chair of Provelco Co-op Ltd, President of the New Zealand Association of Game Estates, and chaired the organising committee of first World Deer Congress.
He has advised the government on issues such as animal welfare, livestock tax, and was on the Game Animal Council Establishment Committee whose work led to the development of the Game Animal Council Act.
He has represented the New Zealand Deer industry at many events around the world, including at the World Deer Biology Conference in the United States.
Mr Guild is currently Chair of Queen Elizabeth II National Trust and Molesworth Steering Committee.