Invercargill City Council is unlikely to see the back of Sir Tim Shadbolt, who has revealed he will make a dual run for city councillor or the role of mayor, possibly landing him a seat in either position come election time.
The 75-year-old is a beloved figure in the nation's southernmost city, but his last few years as mayor have been rocked with controversy, including the resignation of the city's deputy mayor, a progressively worsening health diagnosis and a damming independent review.
But New Zealand's longest-serving mayor told 1News he's "still got a lot to offer" despite swirling questions as to whether he retains his former competence.
READ MORE: Marcus Lush reveals bid for Invercargill mayoralty
"Some people say we're too old but us Baby Boomers have got a lot of energy."
The '60s protester, author, actor, commune founder and prison inmate has won a total of 11 mayoralty bids across Invercargill and Waitematā City but says he still retains the work ethic learned gained during his time as a concrete contractor.
"It's a common term in the trades... No matter what the job is hurling at you, you've got to finish it.
"We've got the making of a great city."
Shadbolt said while there's "great infrastructural development here", more people are needed and "that'll be my forte".
The news comes a day after radio and television personality Marcus Lush also announced his bid as the eighth candidate for the southern city mayoralty.
The 57-year-old, who was elected to the Invercargill City Council last year in a landslide victory, told 1News he decided to "take a shot" at the top job after learning that many locals were unhappy with the available candidates.
But according to Shadbolt, "the more the merrier."
"[Lush] has been very respectful to me... I think we'll have a great time. We're very similar in a lot of ways.
"If we can work together, we'll have two celebrities influencing the course of our great, proud city."
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