In the 1962 New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the dairy industry and to local government.

As mayor he reserved much vacant land in the new city for future public recreation, foreseeing the areas susceptibility to urban sprawl.

[4] At the 1968 elections Lambie decided not to stand again as mayor in order to concentrate fully on his role as ARA chairman.

After a three-year gap Lambie was returned to the ARA at the 1971 elections, though by then his time of major influence in Auckland had passed.

He helped to establish the Māngere community house, sponsored a library at Nga Tapuwae College and was a patron of numerous charitable, cultural and sporting organisations.