Invercargill Mayor Sir Timothy Shadbolt's knighthood was formally conferred at a ceremony at Government House in Wellington this morning.

Sir Tim is the longest serving Mayor in New Zealand and has been heralded an inspirational leader for both Invercargill and the Southern Region, leading the announcement in this year's New Year's Honours list that he was to be made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Sir Tim was first elected as Mayor of Waitemata City for six years. Then in 1993 he was elected to serve as Mayor of Invercargill City until 1995. He was re-elected in 1998 and is now serving his eighth term in office. He has announced his intention to stand again in this year's elections.

Among his achievements, he campaigned for the Zero Fees scheme at the Southland Institute of Technology, which encouraged youth to remain in the region or migrate South to study. This has led to an increase in the population and stimulated economic growth in Southland.

Two major new facilities, Stadium Southland and S.I.T. Velodrome were built during his Mayoralty. The Splash Palace Aquatic Centre, The Invercargill Airport Terminal and the Civic Theatre have all been refurbished during his term in office.

He has been a leading advocate for attracting overseas students, Sister Cities, Maori Land Rights, supporting the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter, the retention of Dunedin Hospital’s Neurological Unit, and the recovery of Auckland Island Pigs for medical research.

Sir Tim has helped raise funds and performed in several feature films and reality television programmes, and along with regular newspaper columns and other published works, he has made a significant contribution to raising Invercargill’s profile and serving its citizens.

Governor-General of New Zealand, the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy pictured with Sir Tim Shadbolt after his investiture ceremony at Government House in Wellington this morning.