O’Brien rules out Invercargill mayoralty bid
Former international rugby referee Paddy O’Brien hasn’t ruled out one day running for Invercargill mayor, but it won’t be in 2019.
O’Brien said he was flattered by talk of a potential mayoralty bid but has ruled out standing in the October council elections.
The Southland Times was approached by several people indicating O’Brien was planning to run against Sir Tim Shadbolt for mayor this year.
O’Brien confirmed he had been approached about the prospect of standing for mayor but had decided against it.
‘‘I gave it about 10 seconds thought. The timing probably isn’t right.’’
He did not rule out the prospect of having a crack at the job in the future.
‘‘Never say never,’’ he said.
Although, he believed a mayor should probably ‘‘do their apprenticeship’’ as a councillor first.
O’Brien is New Zealand’s most capped test rugby referee and was now employed by World Rugby as its sevens referees manager.
In 2016, he stepped into local body politics when he stood for the Invercargill Licensing Trust board.
He was voted on as the highest polling candidate and said he would stand again for the ILT board this year.
‘‘I want to concentrate on the ILT,
‘‘I gave it about 10 seconds thought. The timing probably isn’t right.’’ Paddy O’Brien
that’s my focus for the next three years. That’s where I think I can best help Invercargill at the moment.’’
Councillor Toni Biddle had initially indicated she would run for mayor but announced this week that she had now pulled out.
Shadbolt has confirmed he would stand again.