He was a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council; he was appointed on 11 July 1873, and his membership lapsed on 15 June 1876 due to absence.[3]
Together with his brother Robert, Maclean farmed in Auckland. In 1868[4] or 1869[5] (sources differ), they were the first to import Hereford cattle into New Zealand. The first Hereford sire was called Lord Lovell.[6]