Tim Shadbolt is a local Invercargill hero and New Zealand icon, known for his wide-mouthed smile, wicked sense of humour, standing-up for a wide range of causes and supporting the average Kiwi.
He was born in Auckland and was a foundation pupil and prefect at Rutherford High School. He attended Auckland University where he majored in History. It was there that he started his student activism and was also the editor of Craccum magazine. After leaving university, Tim Shadbolt started his own concrete contracting business, managed the family orchard and worked for community and political causes.
Local Government
The former Mayor of Waitemata City was also a Councillor for Auckland Regional and Waitakere City Councils. He was Mayor of Invercargill from 1993 to 1995. In 1998 he was re-elected and is now in his sixth term as Mayor. For the record, he won the 2010 mayoralty race by 10,964 votes from the next best of two challengers, the 2007 race by 12,468 votes (one other candidate) and the 2004 contest by 13,838 votes (also one other candidate). Back in 1998 he faced five other candidates and cantered home 5821 votes clear of the next best finisher. He was returned unopposed in 2001.
Media and the Mayor
The Mayor has written on a wide range of subjects - from concrete to film making, as well as two autobiographical books. He spent two years as a newspaper columnist for the Sunday News and is currently a columnist for the Southland Times and the Southland Express newspapers.
He has appeared in many radio, television and magazine presentations. He was one of TV1's "Intrepid Explorers" (the episode featuring his trip to Borneo screened in October 2004). His trademark grin beamed out in the prime-time favourite "Dancing With the Stars" - and even down from the big screen thanks to a bit part in "The World's Fastest Indian". Tim Shadbolt is also an experienced and professional after-dinner speaker and, in his role as Mayor, he attends many community related functions and ceremonies.
Media-related links:
Rugby World Cup 2011 and the Mayor
Invercargill was the official host city for Scotland and the capping ceremony was held at Te Rau Aroha Marae, Bluff, when the visitors received their caps from RWC director Bill Beaumont. But as the official Scottish Rugby website reported, first there was Mayor Tim.
"The capping ceremony ... was preceded by Invercargill’s cheeriest ambassador, its mayor, His Worship Tim Shadbolt.
"Imagine a younger version of Ken Dodd, and a man with a permanently sunny disposition and you’ll get the picture," the website reported. "He regaled the party with what he claimed was the only rugby joke he knew (and it was a good one) before it was down to the cap presentation."
Mayor as 2012 record-breaker
On April 29, 2012 Mayor Tim smashed the record for the world's longest television interview. He started the attempt at noon on Saturday (April 28) and at 2pm the next day he reached his goal of 26 hours. The old mark, set in Spain in 2009, was 12 hours and 30 seconds. It was also the longest one-on-one interview on any media and the longest single event on New Zealand TV (edging out Telethon).
Tom Conroy, from Cue TV, conducted the interview (see picture). A Cue spokeswoman said viewers watched the live stream around the world, including the United States, Qatar, and Japan.
Final words to a NZ Herald blogger: "So cheers to Tim, smiling and talking for 26 hours with ease, raising money for St John and reminding us that Cue is making the kind of TV that no one else does."
Inviting the Mayor to a function
If you would like the Mayor to attend your event or function it is advisable to send an invitation and other details well in advance. You should supply the following information - you are welcome to contact the Mayor's Office (03) 211 1586 - for advice:
- Who is the invitation for? Is it for the Mayor alone or does it include his partner, Ms Asha Dutt?
- Function date, time and address.
- Daytime contact details for you and/or your organisation.
- Name of the person who will meet the Mayor on his arrival.
- Do you require the Mayor to make a speech, and if so, the topic and length of time you wish him to speak.
- Whether there are any cultural requirements the Mayor should be aware of (for example prayers at the start of the function or the need to remove shoes ...)
- Anything else you would like the Mayor to do, such as cutting a ribbon or presenting prizes.