Invercargill is today mourning the loss of one of its most iconic and influential figures. Sir Tim Shadbolt, the city’s longest-serving mayor and one of the most recognisable local politicians in New Zealand, passed away peacefully this morning aged 78.
For decades, Sir Tim was inseparable from the identity of Invercargill itself. First elected mayor in 1993, and then again from 1998 through to 2022, he served an extraordinary eight terms in office — a record that places him among the longest-serving mayors in the country’s history. In 2019, his contribution to public life was recognised when he was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Current Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell described Sir Tim as a man who left an enormous mark on both the city and its people. He said Sir Tim was known not only for his genuine pride in Invercargill, but also for his colourful personality, infectious enthusiasm, and tireless advocacy for the region — both locally and nationally.
Sir Tim’s path to leadership was shaped by decades of political activism dating back to the 1960s and 70s. That lifelong passion for causes he believed in never faded, and it became the driving force behind his approach to civic leadership. Although Invercargill was not originally his hometown, it became the place most closely associated with his legacy — and a city that will forever claim him as one of its own.
While Mayor Campbell did not serve alongside Sir Tim on council, he acknowledged the profound impact of his leadership across multiple terms and the deep relationships he built with councillors, staff, and the wider community. “Sir Tim’s enduring legacy has shaped the city we are today,” he said.
Among Sir Tim’s many achievements, two stand out as particularly transformative for the region. He was a fierce and persistent supporter of Invercargill Airport, long campaigning for better air connectivity and serving as mayor when direct flights to Auckland were finally introduced in 2019. He was also a passionate champion of the Southern Institute of Technology’s “fees free” policy — a move that played a major role in revitalising the local economy and attracting students from across the country.
It was during his campaign for a second stint as mayor that Sir Tim famously promised to “put Invercargill on the map.” Few could argue that he didn’t succeed — and in a way that was uniquely, unmistakably his.
Invercargill City Council Chief Executive Michael Day said the organisation was deeply grateful for the contribution Sir Tim made to the city and its people. He noted that many councillors, staff, and community members had worked closely with him over the years and experienced first-hand his energy, conviction, and unwavering commitment to the community. “His legacy is one that will endure across generations,” he said.
Sir Tim will be remembered as a defining figure in Invercargill’s history — a passionate advocate, a tireless promoter of the city, and a larger-than-life personality who devoted much of his life to public service.
Details of his funeral service will be announced in due course.
To mark his passing, the Coat of Arms flag at Invercargill City Council will be flown at half-mast. A Book of Condolence will be available at Te Hīnaki Civic Building and the Bluff Service Centre, as well as online via the Council’s website. Floral tributes may be left at the Blade of Glass sculpture outside Te Hīnaki in Esk Street, with the public asked to avoid plastic or non-biodegradable wrapping so flowers can later be composted.
Sir Tim Shadbolt leaves behind a city that he helped shape, promote, and fight for — and a legacy that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Source: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2601/S00142/council-remembers-sir-tim-shadbolt.htm
