Terry McLean

Who was Terry McLean?

Sir Terence Power McLean KNZM MBE, known as Terry McLean or "T.P.", was a New Zealand sports journalist and author about rugby in New Zealand. He commenced as a journalist on the Auckland Sun in 1930, subsequently working on the Hastings Tribune, New Zealand Observer, Taranaki Daily News and Evening Post. After service in World War II he joined the New Zealand Herald as sports editor in 1946.

For the next 30 years he accompanied most All Black teams overseas and visiting sides in New Zealand, writing a series of tour books and other books on rugby, 32 in total. He retired from the Herald in 1978. In the Queen's Birthday Honours 1978 McLean was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to sporting journalism. In the New Year Honours 1997 McLean was appointed as a Knight Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sporting journalism He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007.

He was born in Wanganui and died in Auckland. He was educated at New Plymouth Boys' High School. He married Margaret Coyle in 1940; they had one son and 2 daughters.

He came from a rugby family, and several other McLeans were notable in New Zealand rugby union, including Hubert McLean who was an All Black in the 1930s. His father and four uncles played for Wanganui, and his brothers Gordon and Bob played at provincial level.