After eight years of legal battles and some public fallout, the former Invercargill mayor has settled his court case against the Invercargill City Council and public liability firm Riskpool.
Since 2018, Sir Tim has sought to recover his legal expenses relating to a 2015 defamation claim brought by Cr Karen Arnold.
He had asked the council and Riskpool to cover his costs in relation to the matter, which both parties declined.
Then in 2020, he filed legal action against the Invercargill City Council, which was subsequently amended to include Riskpool as well.
At the time, council chief executive Clare Hadley said the amount he was seeking was $448,000.
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark said yesterday he could not confirm the details of the settlement due to a confidentiality agreement.
However, to date the council had incurred costs of $285,000 in relation to the proceedings, he said.
"Throughout this process council has been measured in its consideration of options and councillors have worked to balance lawful obligations and the interests of the community.
"It is likely council would have faced further costs had this settlement not occurred. It was important for the council to draw a line under these proceedings and move forward."
Mr Clark stated Sir Tim was satisfied with the resolution and had agreed to discontinue his proceedings.
Reached for comment, Sir Tim said in a statement the settlement meant the end of a period which was "eight years of hell".
"I have mixed emotions.
"A mayor should never have to fight his own council, and use his own income, in pursuit of justice.
"I feel that I have paid the ultimate price."
While he could not comment directly on the agreement, he hoped his experience could be used to improve the law around the matter.
"The area of protection for mayors against spurious lawsuits needs to be defined and locked in concrete, by law. I hope this will never, ever, happen to another mayor in New Zealand, again."
Former Hamilton mayor Margaret Evans, who is part of a group created to support Sir Tim, said she did not understand why it took so long to conclude the matter.
"Look at the stress he has been under. I think he has aged and much of this ageing has been due to the stress. The council hasn’t won out of this ... What a waste of ratepayers’ money."
