Shadbolt to have ‘a bob both ways’ for elections
Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt is standing for a city councillor’s seat and the mayoralty at the local body elections in October.
It is understood to be the first time he has run for both since 1998, when he was voted in as mayor.
Shadbolt has been elected mayor of Invercargill for nine terms, but he faces a stern challenge to the top job this year, with eight candidates saying they would stand against him.
Shadbolt is one of five confirmed candidates on the council website who are standing for both the mayoralty and city councillor seats, the others being Darren Ludlow, Ria Bond, Tom Morton and Noel Peterson.
Shadbolt said he was standing for both because he was committed to resolving unfinished business that was vital for the future of the city.
‘‘I haven’t served [26] years to be turfed out by a determined and sustained campaign against me by my opponents that may or may not have severely impacted on my reputation,’’ he said.
Former Invercargill city councillor Geoff Piercy questioned the motives of any candidates who stood for both.
‘‘I would never vote for anyone that has a bob both ways,’’ Piercy said.
Mayoral hopefuls had to be dedicated to that position alone, he believed.
‘‘It’s a position of dignity, it’s a position where people have to want to be the mayor and have a vision. Your full purpose is to be the mayor and show leadership. There’s no backstop, in my opinion.’’ Shadbolt is one of 27 people so far confirmed as Invercargill city councillor candidates at the upcoming elections, with 12 places up for grabs. In the past four elections, the number of councillor candidates in Invercargill has been 29, 33, 22 and 32. The cut-off for nominations to be confirmed for the October elections is noon today.