The familiar wide smile of Sir Tim Shadbolt could not hide his surprise at Saturday’s election results.
The longest-serving mayor in New Zealand, the now former Invercargill City mayor had admitted early in the campaign he did not have much chance of re-election but the 75-year-old said he had remained ‘‘positive’’ he would still get a seat on council.
However, after 27 years wearing the Invercargill mayoral chains, Sir Tim was unsuccessful in his bid to win a seat on council, polling 26th on the list.
He received 847 votes in the mayoral race, finishing fifth.
“I am absolutely stunned. I never expected such a change,’’ he said.
‘‘[To not be elected to council] was an even bigger shock for me.’’
Messages of gratitude and homage from Invercargill residents filled Sir Tim’s social media this weekend after the results were announced.
While Sir Tim said it would take some time to digest the loss, he was ‘‘really proud’’ of everything the city had achieved over those years of his mayoralty.
Highlights included overseas travel to promote the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) to international students, and his encounter with the actor Sir Anthony Hopkins while he was filming the 2005 film The World's Fastest Indian in Southland.
He hoped to be able to leave a legacy of politics with humour, he said.
“It certainly has been a long journey. I have no regrets. I followed out the tradition bowing out gracefully and I look forward to being involved as an extraordinary citizen of Invercargill.’’
While he said it would be difficult to take part in another series of Dancing With the Stars, in which he competed in 2005, he was keen to get further involved in the entertainment industry.
While he didn’t know what his next steps would be, he said his unsuccessful results at this the election did not mean the end of his political career.
“Oh no! This is just the beginning,’’ he answered, flashing that well-known smile again.
Sir Tim’s career
1983 - Sir Tim elected mayor of Waitemata City
1986 - Re-elected mayor of Waitemata City
1989 - Lost Waitemata City mayoralty to Assid Corban
1990 - Sir Tim stood to be a representative in the electorate of West Auckland (which incorporated Waitemata) at the New Zealand general election, but failed.
1993 - Sir Tim ran successfully for the position of mayor of Invercargill.
1994 - In 1994, Sir Tim contested the Selwyn by-election as a candidate for New Zealand First, but was placed fourth, and remained mayor of Invercargill.
1995 - Sir Tim lost in the 1995 mayoral race.
1998 - Stood for the Invercargill mayoralty and was the clear winner against five other competitors.
2001 - Re-elected mayor of Invercargill unopposed.
2004 - Re-elected mayor of Invercargill by 13,838 votes and with one challenger 2007 - Re-elected mayor of Invercargill by 12,468 votes and with one challenger
2010 - Re-elected mayor of Invercargill by 10,964 votes and with two challengers
2013 - Re-elected mayor of Invercargill by 7110 votes and with two challengers
2016 - Re-elected mayor of Invercargill by 5500 votes and with two challengers
2019 - Won the 2019 election by more than 3200 votes against three other candidates.
2022 - Sir Tim unsuccessful in his bid for Invercargill city council and mayoralty.
