Comment permalink

Ten years ago, Ria Bond told Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt she would challenge him one day in the mayoralty race.

Yesterday, she announced she would be contesting the mayoralty at the local body elections in October.

''I said to him that I would like to take over from him but I needed a few years more.

''I feel ready for this right now.''

Ms Bond said Sir Tim was an ''icon'' and she appreciated what he had done for Invercargill in the past years.

However, she believed now is the time for new leadership.

''I respect him and I'm proud to have him as a mayor but I do feel that it is time for change. We need a full-time leader who can focus on Invercargill's community.''

Ms Bond is a former hairdresser and spent more than two years as a list MP based in Invercargill.

In the general election in 2017, NZ First had only secured nine seats and she was ranked 12th on the party list.

She had been employed by Venture Southland as Southland labour market skills placement co-ordinator.

Ms Bond said as she was employed by Invercargill's council she was unable to begin campaigning until her contract finished at the end of June.

luisa.girao@odt.co.nz