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Outgoing Consumers' Institute chief executive David Russell is delighted and proud to be made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order.
Although he thought long and hard about accepting the honour, he decided it was an acknowledgement of the work done to improve consumer rights by the institute team in the more than 35 years he worked there.
Mr Russell will be joining his partner's internet book-trading business as its development manager.
He said he had never sought a media profile but it was part of the job to answer calls from journalists at odd hours when a consumer issue was in the news. "It's part of the job I won't miss," he said.
He sees the award, which was for community service, as a recognition of the progress consumers have made during the past 30 or so years.
The award also acknowledges work as president of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation. He has children with asthma.
- NZPA
