Mr Pahl will depart two days after the annual meeting on Wednesday, when DQ members will be asked to consider "substantial" constitution rule changes proposed by the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce.
DQ board members had earlier rejected the chamber's motion "because it did not give the DQ membership fair and reasonable notice", DQ chairwoman Erna Spijkerbosch said.
In a statement released yesterday, Mr Pahl said he and his family would return to Brisbane to reinvigorate the family's two retail businesses managed by Mr Pahl's wife, Debbie.
Difficulties in running the businesses from Queenstown had been compounded by Mr Pahl's "recent temporary health issues", the statement said.
Mr Pahl declined to comment further.
Skyline Enterprises managing director Ken Matthews will act as consultant chief executive until a new appointment is made.
He was a board member in 1998, but said he would not be applying for the permanent chief executive job.
Mr Matthews said he was approached by "someone at DQ" about a week ago, who asked if he was interested in providing some assistance to the board and if he was available.
"It is a surprise to me. The fellow's only been here a short period of time and we've been lucky to have the likes of [previous DQ chief executive] David Kennedy for 10 years."
Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Duncan Field, who is also the council's representative on the DQ board, said he understood the circumstances behind the resignation, which he heard about "a day or two" before the announcement.
Mr Field said the council's human resources staff would help with DQ's recruitment process if the board asked.
"I would be surprised if there weren't local candidates, but I would expect DQ to do an international search. There was good interest last time and I expect there will be the same again."
Porter Group managing director Alastair Porter said the positive perspective on Mr Pahl's departure was it offered a chance to re-evaluate the way the marketing of Queenstown could be done in the future.
Mr Porter, speaking as an individual, said "brand Queenstown" could be marketed as a great place to live, as well as visit, which would retain residents and diversify the economy.
DQ board members include Queenstown Hotel owner Louise Kiely, Browns Sothebys general manager Peter Newbold, Kiwi Discovery and Queenstown Rafting owner Vance Boyd, Bumbles Backpackers co-owner and property and real estate consultant Mark Simpson, NZSki Ltd group sales and marketing general manager David Ovendale, Rilean Construction director Steve McLean, St Moritz general manager Lynne McVicar, plus Mr Field and Mrs Spijkerbosch.
The chairwoman and Mr Newbold intend to put their names forward for re-election to the board, as required by the constitution.
Mr Ovendale has decided to stand down for personal reasons.
