Bagpipes sounded and tributes flowed at today's (16 Jan) service in the Civic Theatre, for Invercargill longest serving mayor and kiwi icon Sir Tim Shadbolt.

Sir Tim passed away on Thursday 8th January, aged 78.

In a service interspersed with poetry, waiata, and sometime laughter, mourners heard tributes from Sir Tim’s sons, Declan Lawton-Dutt, and Ben and Robert Shadbolt, his brother Rodney Shadbolt, as well as guest speakers including Māori activist and artist Tāme Iti, Invercargill Member of Parliament, Hon. Penny Simmonds, and Sir Tim’s partner of many decades, Asha Dutt.

Following the service, Sir Tim was farewelled with a rousing haka performed by rōpu Mana Tuakiri, before the funeral cortege travelled along Tay and Clyde streets to Invercargill Airport – home to the Sir Tim Shadbolt Terminal – before a private interment at the city’s Eastern Cemetery.

Along the way, members of the public lined the streets of Invercargill to bid Sir Tim a final farewell.

Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell said the funeral service reiterated Sir Tim’s genuine warmth, and his lifelong commitment to civic service.

“Today, the Invercargill community came together to farewell Sir Tim with gratitude and deep respect. Sir Tim was a force of nature, whose belief in people, place, and possibility was unmistakable, and whose unwavering belief in our city left an enduring legacy that will be felt for generations,” he said.

“Sir Tim was a true champion of Invercargill, and he did so with courage and heart. It was a privilege to pay tribute to a man who always urged us to aim higher and think bigger about what our community could be.

“Our thoughts will remain with Sir Tim’s whānau and friends as they grieve,” Campbell said.

Bluff Community Board Chair Ray Fife also paid tribute to the city’s former mayor.

“Sir Tim Shadbolt always spoke of Bluff as the jewel in our community’s crown. He was an unwavering advocate for our town and its people, and his presence will be deeply missed throughout our community.

“Year after year, Sir Tim attended our ANZAC Day parades – rain, hail, or shine, standing alongside locals to honour service and sacrifice. Afterwards, he would make his way to the RSA, taking the time to share in conversation with the community he cared so deeply

about,” he said.

“Sir Tim’s genuine warmth and belief in our town will not be forgotten. On behalf of the whole Bluff community, the Bluff Community Board honours Sir Tim’s extraordinary contribution and many years of dedicated service. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his whānau, friends, and all those who mourn his passing,” Fife said.

Sir Tim, who was awarded the Knight Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2019 New Year’s Honours List, served nine terms as Invercargill Mayor (between 1993 – 1995, and again between 1998 – 2022), and two terms as Waitematā (Auckland) Mayor, between 1983 - 1989: making him one of the longest-serving mayors in New Zealand.