The renowned coach announced earlier this week he would be taking a step back from international coaching, but would remain the head of Swim Dunedin.
Humer’s decision has triggered Dunedin world champion Erika Fairweather’s decision to move to Auckland and join North Shore Swim Club, where she will be coached by new national head coach Graham Hill.
Swimming New Zealand chief executive Steve Johns called Humer an "absolute stalwart" of swimming, and Swimming Dunedin chairwoman Ingrid Roding wholeheartedly agreed.
"I can very much reaffirm what Swimming New Zealand has said," Roding said.
"He’s contributed significantly to swimming, not only within Dunedin, but internationally as well.
"Lars is an integral part of the puzzle for us here in Dunedin."
Dunedin had been "very privileged" to see Humer leading Fairweather, Caitlin Deans and Kane Follows to the Olympics, and his development of other Aquablacks Ruby Heath, Luan Grobbelaar and Zac Reid — the latter two have since retired — on the world stage.
While it was sad to close the chapter on Humer’s high-performance career, Roding was delighted he would remain on board as the organisation’s head coach.
Humer had always had his eye on the entire Swim Dunedin programme, from the young swimmers to the elite, and his knowledge and experience were vital, Roding said.
Discussions regarding a new elite coach were a "work in progress", she said.
Fairweather, who is a double Olympian and the reigning 400m freestyle world champion, had been "next level" in showing swimmers across Dunedin what they could achieve.
"She’s been very inspiring," Roding said.
"She’s been good at kind of getting in with the younger athletes and I have no doubt she’ll continue to do that.
"It’s obviously sad for us not to have her training in the same water space, but at the same time, we’re very excited to continue support her journey forward."
Swimming continued to flourish in Dunedin through the past few years and showed no signs of slowing down.
"It’s like any sport — you want to make sure you’re keeping kids in the actual sport.
"It’s not always about high performance for everybody.
"It’s also about us ... serving Dunedin as a community and it’s about us also supplementing the other aquatic sports."
