NPs deputy mayor in hospital following stroke
Long serving local body politician and New Plymouth’s deputy mayor Craig McFarlane is in hospital following a medical emergency on Saturday.
McFarlane, who has served the Waitara community for more than 40 years, is believed to have suffered a stroke.
His wife Rhonda is at his bedside at Taranaki Base Hospital.
Waitara councillor and life long friend of McFarlane’s Colin Johnston said he had been keeping in touch with the family.
‘‘He is a really great trusted friend of mine as well as a councillor and deputy mayor,’’ Johnston said.
He was shocked to hear what had happened to his great friend.
‘‘I’ve known him since he was a kid. We have grown up together, done a lot of things together and this is the pinnacle of it all, being on council together and being able to look after Waitara together and working really well towards that goal - working for Waitara and the whole of our district.’’
Johnston said his thoughts and those of other councillors he had spoken with were with Rhonda and McFarlane’s family.
Daniel Watson, a mechanic at McFarlane Motors, said staff and the Waitara community were rallying around to offer support to Craig’s family. ‘‘There’s quite a few people calling in and saying nice things and asking if they can help out and stuff,’’ Watson said. ‘‘He’s a good guy Craig.’’ Watson said staff hadn’t had an update about Craig’s condition but their thoughts and best wishes were with him and they hoped he would make a speedy recovery.
Waitara community board deputy chairman Joe Rauner said he had only been speaking to McFarlane on Friday.
Rauner said McFarlane, who he has worked with on council issues for 15 years, was a fighter and would pull through.
‘‘He’s the kind of guy who won’t lay down.
‘‘He never gives up on anything even if it does take a little while,’’ he said.
In a written statement Mayor Neil Holdom said the team at the council, both elected members and staff, were shocked by the news and their thoughts were with his family.
‘‘I am in regular contact with Craig’s wife Rhonda and she knows she has the full support of NPDC,’’ Holdom said.