William Bly from Woodville credits his name being on the New Year Honours list to a team effort.
He is to become a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the community.
"But you can't do these things on your own -- it's a team effort that makes it possible," he said.
Mr Bly served on local bodies in Woodville, Manawatu and Tararua between 1983 and 1998, including as a councillor and chairman for the Woodville County and District councils, and the Manawatu/Whanganui Regional Council. He was mayor of the Tararua District from 1995 to 1998.
He is also a Justice of the Peace and has been on the executive committee of Manawatu's centre of the Cancer Society of New Zealand since 1999.