Mr Geddes said it was ''very humbling'' to accept the award.
''I'm only a small part of it, and what is being recognised is the work of the community, the council, the councillors, and myself. I accepted the award on that behalf,'' he said.
Mr Geddes, who did not seek re-election this year, was mayor for three full terms, during a period when the Lakes district experienced the highest rate of growth of any New Zealand community.
''What this award honours is the good relationships between all parties involved, and the efforts that began in 2001 with the 2020 community workshops and the ongoing efforts to see those through,'' he said.
He was a founding member of the marketing agency Destination Queenstown, which is now in its 25th year, and was chairman of the region's economic development agency, Otago Forward.
He has been a representative for local government on the Minister of Tourism's ministerial advisory group, and worked to introduce the measures that have reduced alcohol-related antisocial behaviour in the resort town.
''As I said, it is very humbling. I think anyone one who chooses to work with local government does so because they want to do so, and it's humbling for that to be recognised,'' he said.
Asked if he had a message for the Queen, Mr Geddes quipped, ''It's nice to be on board.''
