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Otago Daily Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Invercargill losing long-serving councillors
Their decisions come at a time when the majority of current councillors are putting their hands up for another stint. Kett made up his mind three years ago that this would be his last and said that would not change. 'I'd always go out in person and talk to the people that called me, so I'll miss all that. 'I'll miss most of the councillors,' he added with a laugh. It had been a difficult 2024 for the councillor, who faced both the death of his wife and numerous health difficulties. Multiple knee operations late last year and two heart attacks under anaesthetic forced him to step aside from council duties while he recovered. Despite the setbacks, he was now feeling 'bloody good' and was sad to be leaving. 'With all my health issues since October, it's a wise decision." Soper's nine years at council ends a long political career. She spent time on the district health board and had two stints in Parliament as a Labour MP - first in 2005 and again from 2007 to 2008. Soper said she made the decision to finish up at council 'some time ago' and wanted to leave with dignity. 'Very early in my career I discovered you can help individuals - but if you want to make really lasting changes for large groups of the population, then get involved where the power actually is." Her highlights on council included fighting to keep the children's library in its current location, the council's credit rating, and supporting the appointment of mana whenua representatives. Mayor Nobby Clark's recent use of his casting vote to not update council's procurement policy in support of Palestine was a lowlight for the councillor. 'It was a definite low point. It was a very straightforward, principled decision for council to make.' Soper said she would likely do more travel with husband David once she had finished up. Who is standing again? Invercargill will be in for a new mayor with Nobby Clark repeatedly ruling out the possibility of a second term. The mayoral race includes four current councillors: Tom Campbell, Alex Crackett, Ria Bond and Ian Pottinger. Deputy mayor Campbell is all-in with his bid having ruled out running for council, while Crackett is also leaning in that direction while keeping her options open. She recently quit her job to focus on her campaign. Town crier Lynley McKerrow and TikTok enthusiast Tom Morton are also throwing their hats in the ring for mayoralty. Other councillors standing again include Grant Dermody, Trish Boyle, Steve Broad, Barry Stewart and Darren Ludlow. Allan Arnold could not be reached for comment. Nominations officially opened on Friday and candidates have until August 1 to put their name forward. Voting documents will be sent out in September ahead of election day on October 11. • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark returns to hospital after weekend stroke
Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has returned to hospital after being discharged earlier this week. Clark is recovering from a minor stroke on Sunday, with The Press reporting he was initially unable to pick himself up after a fall. The mayor was getting ready to attend a Southland Sharks basketball game at the time, it was reported. Speaking from hospital, Clark said he hoped to be out on either Friday or Saturday following more monitoring and tests. "It sort of came as a bit of a surprise, but no, I'm okay," he said of his medical event. Deputy mayor Tom Campbell confirmed Clark had returned home for one night but ended up back in hospital after feeling dizzy. Clark still intended to return to work next week in some capacity, Campbell said, although doctors had advised him to take two weeks off. It is not the first time the mayor has dealt with health issues, with a December 2023 heart attack resulting in surgery and several months off work. Clark first entered the council in 2019 with the most votes of any councillor before becoming mayor in 2022 by a margin of almost 3000 votes. He has ruled out a second term in the top job and plans to retire in October. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
02-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has minor stroke
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark is recovering from a minor stroke. He spent two nights in hospital after a fall last weekend. Clark had surgery after having a heart attack in December 2023 . Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell said the news came as a shock, but Clark was doing well and intended to return to work next week. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
28-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark criticises own council of being too risk averse
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark says his council should take more risks. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark has hit out at his own council, saying its aversion to risk has resulted in an "eye watering" consultants bill. His comments follow the organisation revealing it spent more than $7.3 million on consultants in less than three years between July 2022 and December 2024. Clark said the council's low tolerance for risk meant elected members didn't "run against" advice from management, and management used consultants to "justify" the advice they gave elected members. "For me, personally, I think the risk should be higher. We should take more risk," Clark said. "Because at the end of the day, you've got to balance it out against the cost of these consultants, which are eye watering amounts." Clark said the only way to change the situation was to tell staff not to spend large amounts on advice, and for councillors to accept the risk. "And if we get it wrong, we get it wrong." Invercargill City Council was approached for comment but did not respond in time for publication. The numbers were made public on the back of a LGOIMA request from the Taxpayers' Union, which released the data on Friday. It showed $2.58 million was spent on consultants for the 12 months to June 2023, $3.23 million was spent for the 12 months to June 2024, and $1.52 million was spent for the six months to December 2024. The document showed more than 160 companies were used during the two-and-a-half-year period. Deloitte topped the spending with more than $424,000 for work on reviewing rates, contract compliance, internal audit support, and risk and assurance support. Stantec was next with a figure of more than $396,000 for support with the Bluff wastewater consent. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Council's risk aversion cause of eye-watering consultants' bill, mayor says
Nobby Clark. PHOTOS: ODT FILES Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has hit out at his own council, saying its aversion to risk has resulted in an "eye-watering" consultants' bill. His comments follow the organisation revealing it spent more than $7.3 million on consultants in less than three years between July 2022 and December 2024. Mr Clark said the council's low tolerance for risk meant elected members did not "run against" advice from management, and management used consultants to "justify" the advice they gave elected members. "For me, personally, I think the risk should be higher. We should take more risk," Mr Clark said. "Because at the end of the day, you've got to balance it out against the cost of these consultants, which are eye-watering amounts." Mr Clark said the only way to change the situation was to tell staff not to spend large amounts on advice, and for councillors to accept the risk. "And if we get it wrong, we get it wrong." Invercargill City Council was approached for comment but did not respond in time for publication. The numbers were made public on the back of a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request from the Taxpayers' Union. The data showed $2.58m was spent on consultants for the 12 months to June 2023, $3.23m was spent for the 12 months to June 2024, and $1.52m was spent for the six months to December 2024. The document showed more than 160 companies were used during the two and a half-year period. Deloitte topped the spending with more than $424,000 for work on reviewing rates, contract compliance, internal audit support and risk and assurance support. Stantec was next with a figure of more than $396,000 for support with the Bluff wastewater consent. — Matthew Rosenberg, Local Democracy Reporter — LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
