Former Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt died on January 8, aged 78. PHOTO: ODT FILESSir Tim Shadbolt’s partner of many years has criticised a crowd-funded statue project for the late mayor, urging people not to donate. Earlier this month, a Givealittle campaign was set up by Sir Tim Shadbolt Memorial Statue Project (Group) with a lofty goal of raising $367,500 in one year. While at Matakana, they discussed the idea of an interactive bronze statue of Sir Tim sitting at a bench so people could sit next to him and shake his hand. Sir Tim served two terms as Waitematā mayor before relocating to the South and clocking up eight terms in Invercargill.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 18, 2026 15:55 UTC