I was born in Scotland but emigrated to New Zealand with my wife Jessie, as a young married couple, in 1981.

A Chartered Engineer by profession I joined Tiwai Smelter on arrival in NZ, working initially as a pot operator, but progressing to become the smelter Chief Executive in 1999.

While working for Rio Tinto for 28 years I had roles in NZ, Australia, Wales, Canada, Chile and Venezuela.

My last role was in Montreal as Global Head of Technology before returning to live permanently in Invercargill in 2009.

I then became Chairman of the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science (GNS) , and Chairman of NZ’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and served on the Boards of commercial businesses including Port Otago and the Todd Corporation.

My first work for local government was when the Mayoral Forum appointed me chair of the SoRDS group which developed Southland’s Regional Development Strategy.

That strategy was adopted by all four of Southland’s Councils in 2016 and has been the base strategy for much of the development since then.

Elected as a Councillor in 2022, I have been Deputy Mayor of Invercargill since then.

I also had extended periods acting as Mayor when Nobby Clark took ill in 2024 and in 2025.

As Deputy Mayor I have particular accountability for the Housing and the Climate Change portfolios.

I am also Chairman of the ILT Indoor Stadium Trust.

I am married to Jessie, and we have children and grandchildren living in Invercargill.

I am passionate about seeing Invercargill continue to thrive, but know that we must fund new developments by achieving internal efficiencies within ICC, rather than through unaffordable rates increases.

We need to hold every dollar hostage and make 80c do the work of that dollar.

My campaign slogan below captures my vision of our future together:

Let Invercargill Flourish.

Authorised by Cath Campbell: [email protected] 

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