Double honours for MacDiarmid clan

A Northland man and his Nobel Prize-winning brother pulled off a double act in yesterday's New Year Honours.

Roderick MacDiarmid, aged 85, a Kerikeri orchardist, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his contribution to horticulture and the community.

His brother, Professor Alan MacDiarmid, 74, received New Zealand's highest honour - Membership of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ).

Last year, Professor MacDiarmid jointly won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for helping discover electricity-conducting plastics. He has been based in the United States since 1950.

Mr MacDiarmid said it was not until Sunday morning that he learned of his brother's honour, though he knew of his the night before.

"I'm very proud that he has got it," Mr MacDiarmid said.

Of his own award, he said he was "a bit embarrassed".

The brothers plan to catch up in late January or early February when Professor MacDiarmid visits New Zealand.

Mr MacDiarmid has been closely associated with horticultural development in Kerikeri since 1948.

He has been involved with service clubs, the Northland Chamber of Commerce and education in the Kerikeri area for many years.

Professor MacDiarmid, who was the only person to be made a Member of the Order of New Zealand in the New Year list, paid tribute to his brother.

"I'm delighted to hear that ... He's always been extremely involved in politics all his life."

He credited their success to their early family life.

"We grew up during the Depression. My father, who was an engineer, was out of work for four years so we had absolutely no money.

"But with five children and a mother and father we had a very close, warm, loving, supportive family unit."

- NZPA