Richie Guy excelled in the hard, heads-down world of rugby scrums, playing nine matches as an All Black prop in 1971-72 and becoming a Northland legend with 91 games in Cambridge blue.
He then began a distinguished career as a rugby administrator but did not hang up his boots until he was 63.
Now 71, he has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday honours list for his services to rugby.
Mr Guy said he was honoured and humbled to receive the award.
He wanted to thank the people who had nominated him, his wife Judy, his late parents Ernie and Molly, his five brothers and sister, his daughter and son and all others who had helped him devote his time and efforts to rugby.