'Our hearts are broken': Sir Tim Shadbolt dies, aged 78

Former long-serving Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt has died.

Sir Tim, 78, died earlier this morning, the Invercargill City Council announced today.

In a post on social media, his family said: "Our hearts are broken."

Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell extended his condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Sir Tim, on behalf of the entire community.

“Sir Tim served an incredible eight terms as Mayor of Invercargill, and he leaves an enormous legacy within our community. He was widely known, not only for his genuine pride in our community and the people within it, but equally for his colourful personality, infectious enthusiasm, and his tireless advocacy for Invercargill – both locally and throughout the country.

"His absence will be deeply felt.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a statement he was "saddened" at hearing Sir Tim had passed.

"Few New Zealanders have given such devoted public service as Sir Tim," he said,

A colourful and charismatic character, Sir Tim became a household name as an activist, comedian, actor and Mayor of Waitematā City and, of course, Invercargill.

He rose to prominence in the 1960s and 70s as a student protester during the height of the Vietnam War.

Always out on the frontline, including the anti-apartheid era during the 1981 Springbok Tour, his activism saw him arrested 33 times.

His experiences prompted him to write his provocative autobiography, Bullsh*t and Jellybeans.

But when the 1980s rolled around, he turned his focus away from fighting the establishment to joining it.

He entered local politics as Mayor of the then Waitematā City in Auckland, serving two terms. He famously towed his concrete mixer behind the mayoral limousine during a Christmas parade.

Remembering colourful long-time Invercargill mayor's life - Watch on TVNZ+

But Sir Tim's legacy really began when he headed to the Deep South, winning an Invercargill by-election in 1993 after Mayor Eve Poole died in office.

He was voted out in 1995 before returning to the top job three years later.

At this point, he began his quest to become Invercargill's biggest cheerleader - and eventually became the city's longest serving mayor.

Sir Tim helped drive new residents south as the city's population was in decline, championed the Southern Institute of Technology's zero fees scheme and became a bigger media personality in the process.

He featured in TVNZ's version of Dancing With The Stars as well as other TV and movie projects, including breaking the world record for the longest television interview. He also had cameos in The World's Fastest Indian and black-comedy Two Little Boys.

Sir Tim served a total of eleven terms as a mayor, two in Auckland and nine in Invercargill, and received a knighthood for his services.

He told 1News at the time: "I was thinking of retiring at the last elections, but then I heard that if you die in office the council has to pay for your funeral, so, long term planning I call it."

However, in 2022 Sir Tim was voted out of the south's top job in the local body election. Things had started to sour, with an Internal Affairs review finding a leadership void at the city council.

Life then became a lot quieter for the veteran politician but many would continue to remember him for his wit, trademark smile and for being a fighter until the very end.

In a statement this evening, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the party was "very sad to hear of the passing of Sir Tim Shadbolt".

"Sir Tim gave decades of service to the people of Invercargill. He was a passionate advocate for his community, a tireless public servant, and a voice for those often unheard," Hipkins said.

"He believed deeply in the power of people and his leadership helped transform Invercargill.

"My thoughts are with his family, friends, and the people of Invercargill at this time."

The Invercargill City Council announced its Coat of Arms flag would be flown at half-mast to mark Sir Tim’s contribution to the city. A Book of Condolence would be available for members of the public to sign, both at Te Hīnaki Civic Building and the Bluff Service Centre, and a digital Book of Condolence would be available online.

Funeral service details would be announced once confirmed.

Sir Tim had four children.