Invercargill City Council (ICC) has revealed, following an official information request, it contributed almost $30,000 of services in kind and financial contributions towards the public funeral of the city's late mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt.

Sir Tim was Invercargill’s longest-serving mayor, having served nine terms (between between 1993 and 1995, and again between 1998 and 2022). In 2019 he was awarded the Knight Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit.

Sir Tim died on Thursday 8th January, aged 78.

In a statement ICC said that in recognition of Sir Tim’s longstanding service to the community, and given the council had the resources such as an appropriate venue and staff available, it was felt appropriate to offer the family this support. 

A break-down of costs include:

• Venue hire and services $23,603.55
• Signage $232.00
• Truck hire $265.29
• Condolence books $741.42
• Internment costs $4,643.48
• TOTAL $29,485.74 (GST exclusive)