"If I can survive this, I can probably do another three or four terms," Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt said in June, from the comfort of his large, open office. As bad as things seemed in June, Sir Tim's second half of 2021 was arguably more tumultuous. Last month, a situation unfolded that symbolised the issue at hand: time seems to be catching up with Sir Tim, and the old way of doing things no longer flies. Sir Tim, the man who put Invercargill on the map, has been forced to adapt or sink, slowly, over time, and perhaps without warning. When Harvey suggested it might be time for his friend to retire, Sir Tim had a simple answer: he has a tremendous aversion to quitting.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 25, 2021 22:46 UTC