Invercargill mayor to undergo heart surgery next week

By RNZ

Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark is scheduled to undergo heart surgery next week, after suffering a minor heart attack on Wednesday.

Clark was taken to Southland Hospital and stayed overnight as a precaution after the incident on December 27, the council said.

He was then transferred to Dunedin Hospital for more tests yesterday.

Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark. Photo / RNZ / Tess Brunton

Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell said today the mayor was scheduled to undergo quadruple bypass heart surgery next Wednesday.

He would remain in Dunedin Hospital with his family until then.

“I have spoken to Nobby today and he remains positive and is really chomping at the bit to get it over with and back on the road to recovery,” said Campbell.

Campbell said Clark’s recovery was likely to take a couple of months and he would take the reins at council in the meantime.

“As we move into the new year, I look forward to making sure there is no loss of momentum on the projects Nobby has been driving.”

Clark won the mayoralty from long-time incumbent Tim Shadbolt in last year’s local body election.