Mac, a Northland dairy leader

Mac Gordon excelled as a farmer and in dairy industry politics.

Mac (Charles McNeil) Gordon, who was a director of the Mid Northland Co-operative Dairy Company and the Dairy Board in crucial years leading to the amalgamation of New Zealand diary companies and the formation of Fonterra, has died after a series of illnesses. He was 78.

Following a stroke in 2003, heart surgery in 2007 and a lung cancer diagnosis 12 months ago, he was guest of honour at a family celebration of his accomplishments which packed the Waipu Coronation Hall in April last year - a cheerful prelude to the funeral service in the same hall following his death on January 26.

Mac was born in Helensville, the second eldest of Chris and Hayden Gordon's six children, but moved to Waipu at an early age when his parents bought a farm there.

He attended the Waipu District High School and Wesley College in Auckland. He left school to work on the family farm and as a shearer then started a contracting business with his brother Alex.

Mac met his future wife Sheila while visiting Ireland and staying with her father, who had been a school friend of his father. They were married in 1964 in Northern Ireland and returned to Waipu for a wedding celebration in the Coronation Hall.

In 1966 Mac purchased his father's farm in northern Waipu and the neighbouring farm in partnership with his brother Alex. The farm is today run by Mac and Sheila's daughter Catherine, son Carl and their spouses.

Mac excelled in dairy industry politics, becoming a director of the Mid Northland Co-operative Dairy Company in 1970 and joining the NZ Dairy Board in 1979.

The board controlled all New Zealand dairy exports and Mac's particular sphere of administration was Southeast Asia.

He was among the country's top dairying leaders during the turbulent period up to the close of last century when little dairy companies disappeared in a wave of amalgamations, his retirement coming before the Dairy Board merged in 2001 with the two largest New Zealand dairy co-operatives representing 96 per cent of the industry to form GlobalCo, later renamed Fonterra.

Along with being a director of the Dairy Board for 17 years - recognised when he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit - he was on the Milk Board for eight years and Meat Board for three years.

He also served on many local committees, helped build the Waipu Rugby Club rooms, had an administrative role with the Otamatea Repertory Theatre and aided the production of the first Waipu Pageant.

Mac was a devoted family man, involved with his children, taking them on holidays and taking a close interest in their development.

Following his stroke 11 years ago he remained in his Waipu home cared for by Sheila, who said among the compliments paid to Mac since his death someone had commented that for such a clever person he was very uncomplicated.

"He had no airs or graces at all. He was interested in everyone.

"For him everyone had a story to tell," she said.

Mac died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He is survived by Sheila, his children Catherine, Carl and Shirley, six grandchildren and a great-grandson.