The Southland Tribune reported yesterday that Sir Tim (76), a long-time former mayor of Invercargill, had been admitted to Calvary Hospital, though his partner Asha Dutt said it was only for “short respite care”.
In an email to the Tribune , she said Sir Tim was in Calvary for short respite care following a recent hospital stay.
"He is only receiving care there for a few days," she said.
"Tim is otherwise well and dictating book anecdotes while he has some downtime."
Calvary Hospital offers rest-home and geriatric aged care in a 67-bed facility.
It declined comment when approached yesterday.
Sir Tim was New Zealand's longest-serving mayor (24 years) and unsuccessfully ran for re-election in Invercargill last year.
At that time he said he felt surprised not to be re-elected as a councillor though wished the new council all the best.
He served two terms as Waitemata mayor — from 1983 to 1989 — before starting his career as mayor of Invercargill in 1993.
He was not re-elected after his first term, but won the mayoralty back in 1998 until Nobby Clark was voted in last year.
Earlier this month, a tribute book celebrating his life and legacy was presented to him during a ceremony at Waverley Park School.
Sir Tim did not speak publicly at the event, though Ms Dutt addressed the ceremony on his behalf.
When approached by the Otago Daily Times at the event, Sir Tim said he was very moved by the book.
"I’ve never really had a tribute. I’ve had columns and leaflets.
"I’ve had co-operative projects but I’ve never had a [tribute] — and I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself in for." Sir Tim said.
"But the quality and style of the tribute is well worth the effort."
