Politicians across New Zealand are paying tribute to former Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt, who died this morning, aged 78.
Current Mayor Tom Campbell said Shadbolt left an enormous legacy within the 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.”
Invercargill City Council chief executive Michael Day said Shadbolt’s strong sense of pride, his life in public service, and his political activism helped shape the city.
“Sir Tim will forever be remembered as a defining figure in our city’s history, and he will be deeply missed by many.”
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown called Shadbolt “one of our most recognisable politicians”.
I was saddened by the passing of Sir Tim Shadbolt, a former Mayor of Waitematā City here in Tāmaki Makaurau and Invercargill in the deep south.
— Mayor Wayne Brown (@MayorWayneBrown) January 8, 2026
You didn’t have to like his politics to like the guy.
Sir Tim was one of our most recognisable politicians and was known as a champion… pic.twitter.com/4bOF3aXfu2
“He was quite the character with a unique style that proved popular with the communities he served for more than 30 years.
“He leaves an enormous legacy. Sir Tim will be missed.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was saddened to hear of the passing of Shadbolt.
I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Tim Shadbolt.
— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) January 8, 2026
Few New Zealanders have given such devoted public service as Sir Tim. He served Southlanders and Aucklanders for decades – with a smile on his face and a distinctive charm.
He devoted his career to making his community…
“Few New Zealanders have given such devoted public service as Sir Tim. He served Southlanders and Aucklanders for decades – with a smile on his face and a distinctive charm," Luxon said on X.
“He devoted his career to making his community a better place – and his country thanks him for it. May he rest in peace."
Labour MP Ingrid Leary posted a tribute on Facebook, recalling a time she worked with Shadbolt for a satirical TV story.
“He basically took the mickey out of himself dancing in his lounge in Invercargill,” she wrote.
“He didn’t hesitate to participate and threw himself into it 150%, which turned what could’ve been an embarrassing story into a rather cool and edgy one.
“That was what was so memorable about Sir Tim – he took his governance work seriously but he didn’t take himself too seriously and he was utterly authentic and lots of fun.”
Nelson Mayor Dr Nick Smith called Shadbolt one of the “great characters of NZ politics”.
“My two favourite image of Tim was of towing his concrete mixer behind the mayoral car, a Daimler and his irreverent slogan ‘I want to be Mayor – I don’t care where’,” he wrote on Facebook.
“No one can question his commitment to Invercargill, how his personality put the city on the map and the success of his part in Southland Institute of Technology’s Free Fees policy.
“Comedy is the hardest artform of all, particularly in this age when it is so easy to cause offence, yet Tim’s fun personality enabled him to get away with saying things that any other politician would be crucified for.
“I hope we will get over ourselves and make room for more successful politicians of Tim’s style and personality.”
Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.