Former Matamata-Piako mayor and regional councillor Hugh Vercoe dies aged 80

Former Matamata-Piako mayor Hugh Vercoe. Photo / Janna Dixon

Matamata-Piako District’s longest-standing mayor and three-term Waikato Regional Councillor Hugh Vercoe has died at the age of 80.

Vercoe started his career as a sheep shearer in Maihiihi in the Ōtorohanga District and spent almost two decades as a territorial soldier in the New Zealand Army, six years of those as Battery Commander of the 4th Medium Battery.

However, Vercoe will be best known for his longstanding service to the community, having spent 15 years as the mayor of Matamata-Piako and nine years as a Waikato regional councillor.

Vercoe got involved in local government in the late 1990s when he was the chair of the Morrinsville Business Association and started clashing with the Matamata-Piako District Council. Instead of complaining, he decided to take matters into his own hands and stand for mayor in 1998.

He held the mayoralty until 2013 when he decided not to seek re-election. Instead, Vercoe stood for the Waihou seat on the Waikato Regional Council which he held until 2022.

During his time with the regional council, Vercoe chaired the transport committee.

Waikato Regional Council chair Pamela Storey said in a statement Waikato communities “were blessed” with his service over many years, as he brought insight and experience to “every table he sat at”.

“He was the wise owl who would listen intently and give measured, meaningful responses that provided a clear steer, a clear direction, and a very clear point of view.

“It was under his leadership of the regional transport committee that sign-off was received for the completion of the Waikato Expressway... Hugh also championed the launch of inter-regional passenger rail, and was pleased to see the steady growth in numbers on Te Huia.”

Current Matamata-Piako District mayor Adrienne Wilcock said another legacy of Vercoe’s was getting Civil Defence Emergency Management in the Waikato running more effectively.

Vercoe served as the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group chairman from 2010 to 2022, where he led the Waikato through a series of measures.

“[These measures led] to better funding and professionalism. Our communities and local agencies are much better prepared to respond to disaster thanks to his passion and dedication in this area,” Wilcock said.

Vercoe also chaired the Morrinsville Community Board for three years, and was president of the Morrinsville Rotary Club (1991) as well as vice-president of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society (2011-2013).

He ran an Insurance brokering business and a sheep, beef and dairy farm in Tauhei. Vercoe received a Queen’s Service Medal in 2007 and was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for his services to Local Government.

“We remember his life and the incredible contributions he made to Matamata-Piako and the wider Waikato. Farewell Hugh, and thank you for your leadership, hard work and commitment you poured into this community,” Wilcock said.

One of Vercoe’s final projects was setting up an Artillery Museum on his farm at Tauhei. The museum opened on September 30.

The Royal New Zealand Artillery Association announced Vercoe’s death on Sunday, October 22, saying he had been unwell for some time but his “usual incredible determination” made sure he was at the opening ceremony of the Museum.

Vercoe leaves behind his partner Jill, four children, 10 grandchildren, and step-children and step-grandchildren.

A service will be held at the Morrinsville Events Centre, Ron Ladd Place at 11am on Friday, October 27. The family welcomes everyone to come and celebrate his life.

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