'The McGregor tree was so named by the late Peter Mathews and Graeme Craw in the course of deliberate treks to seek out kauri giants in the forest' (Burstall 1984). In addition to this tree being named in his honor the Waipoua forest sanctuary is now bordered to the south by the 350ha Professor W.R McGregor Reserve.
William Roy McGregor was born in Thames, New Zealand on 8 July 1894, the son of a draper. He attended Auckland Grammar School in 1909, and then became a school teacher. In 1918 he was appointed a demonstrator in biology at Auckland University College, and in 1922 became a lecturer in zoology. In 1924 he undertook ecological research into the kauri and in the late 1920s he was hired by the New Zealand Forest Service as a consultant for the Waipoua forest.
McGregor was dedicated to conservation of the indigenous flora and fauna of New Zealand. Starting in the 1940s, McGregor launched a campaign to protect the Waipoua kauri forest, giving the status of a sanctuary. He wrote an 80-page illustrated pamphlet on the subject, which proved an effective manifesto for conservation. He said the forest 'is not merely unique among the forest types of the world; it is at the same time undoubtedly one of Nature's most splendid achievements'. He organised a petition that was signed by 70,000 supporters. His emotional appeals and superior rhetoric were successful in winning the battle. He continued his campaign against forestry in the reserve after retiring in 1960, and founded the New Zealand Conservation Society.
References:
1) Burstall SW & Sale EV. 'Great Trees of New Zealand' 1984; p.19
2) Wikipedia William Roy McGregor