Prentice offers 'hardest test in years' - Shadbolt

Tim Shadbolt says his last real test for the mayoralty had been in 1998. Photo / Barry Harcourt

Tim Shadbolt says singer Suzanne Prentice's foray into Invercargill's mayoralty race will be his hardest test in years - but at the end of the day she is famous for singing while he is famous for political campaigning.

Ms Prentice officially put up her hand today to contest Invercargill's mayoralty, to fix the "distractions" and "lack of focus" of the council under Mr Shadbolt's leadership.

Ms Prentice, who was New Zealand Entertainer of the Year in 1984, will run against fellow celebrity Mr Shadbolt, who has appeared on Dancing with the Stars and The World's Fastest Indian and has been Invercargill mayor for 16 years.

But he is a "different sort of celebrity", he told nzherald.co.nz.

"I like her as a person and respect her as an entertainer - but you just don't know. She's an unknown quality when it comes to politics.

"I similarly have a high profile - but I've achieved my high profile by political campaigning ... and that's a different sort of celebrity.

"So I think the majority will opt for an experienced political campaigner than a high profile singer. That's the choice they're going to have to make."

Mr Shadbolt said his last real test for the mayoralty had been in 1998, and since then he had been elected either unopposed or without a huge opposition.

"[Ms Prentice] will certainly be the most challenging in recent years," he said.

All the interest was great for the city, with people writing in an unprecedented six months before elections, he said.

"We might even knock Auckland off the number one city."

Ms Prentice said the city already had many experienced councillors, and they just needed fresh direction that brought them together.

Mr Shadbolt had a public row with his deputy last year, drawing national attention. Ms Prentice said that should never have happened.

"Even great leaders around the world have a time frame. A fresh approach, a focused approach would be good for Invercargill," Ms Prentice said.

"There are a lot of concerns I've had. There have been distractions that have been time-consuming and unproductive."

She did not directly criticise Mr Shadbolt, but said such concerns were the reason she decided to contest the mayoral seat.

"Along with many people, I became concerned with the direction the council was going and the things were heading in Invercargill."

Having two celebrities run for New Zealand's southernmost city would be a novelty, but Ms Prentice said she was determined to campaign on the issues, not personality.

"I'm not concerned about rubbing against Tim at all. I'm going to be running an open and honest campaign."

Invercargill had a lot going for it - potential oil reserves, free tertiary education and a world-class velodrome. "It's a fantastic part of the world. It really is," she said.

Ms Prentice's career highlights:

* Has worked with Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Sammy Davis Jr, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris.

* Recently wrote a book with the same title as her hit album, One Day at a Time, about losing 35kg and competing in national bodybuilding championships.

* Her album When I Dream reached platinum in 10 days of release, and was New Zealand's country record of the year in 1983.

* From her biography at celebspeakers.com: "Armed with her new figure, which embodies her victory over low self-esteem, diet management and fitness, Suzanne is singing a new song."

Mr Shadbolt:

* Invercargill mayor since 1998, plus another term between 1993 and 1995.

* Appeared in Dancing with the Stars for its first season, in 2005, and finished third.

* Played Burt Munro's friend in The World's Fastest Indian.

* Was arrested 33 times during political protests in the 1960s and 1970s.

* Has also been mayor of Waitemata City and councillor for Auckland Regional and Waitakere City Councils.