They have spent the past 15 years serving the local community and have headed various community organisations of the Upper Clutha district.
Mrs Kilpatrick served nine years on the Wanaka Community Board (1993-2002) and was chairwoman in her final term, while Mr Kilpatrick has been a justice of the peace for the past 20 years.
They are moving to Christchurch to have closer access to health services and family, but would be keeping a "close eye" on Wanaka, Mrs Kilpatrick said.
In a moving speech, she spoke of the partnership she and Mr Kilpatrick shared and how they were both looking forward to, and prepared for, the new challenges ahead.
Mr Kilpatrick, who addressed a small crowd of family, friends, and community board members who gathered at the Lake Wanaka Centre on Tuesday, said Mrs Kilpatrick was his "rock".
"I'm speaking to you first, because she is a hard act to follow," he told everyone.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes paid tribute to the invaluable years of service, commitment, and advocacy the pair had given Wanaka.
The efforts of Mrs Kilpatrick in 2005, during the council's representation review to canvas opinion on whether the Wanaka Community Board would be retained, were central to the board surviving in its current capacity, he said.
Mrs Kilpatrick said it was important for Wanaka to retain its own identity and right to independence, with the community board integral to continuing that tradition.
Protecting the values of the beautiful landscape from inappropriate development would always be a challenge for community leaders in Wanaka, she said.
