Former Taupo District Council deputy mayor Rex Hawkins has been awarded the Queen's Service Order for services to the community in the New Year Honours list.
"I am naturally deeply honoured but it is also pretty humbling when I think of the many people who have worked hard for the Taupo community and who have never received a honour," he said.
Mr Hawkins has served on a wide variety of community organisations since he arrived in Taupo in 1968.
He served 25 years during terms as a councillor on the Waikato Regional Council, Taupo District Council, Taupo Borough Council and Tongariro United Council from 1977-2001.
He was deputy mayor of Taupo Borough Council from 1986-1988 and Taupo District Council from 1992-1998.