A group of North Island political veterans made up of former Hamilton mayor Margaret Evans, Tauranga businessman Doug Owens, Waitakaruru farmer Max Purnell and trucking operator John Bower — who in the past called themselves Tim’s Team — met recently and came up with the idea to rename the Invercargill Airport, Sir Tim Shadbolt Airport.
Mrs Evans believed it was an ideal way to acknowledge the longest-serving mayor in New Zealand.
"There is the close link through Invercargill City Council’s majority ownership and Sir Tim’s terms as an airport company director, along with his enthusiasm at the prospect of international flights."
She first spoke to Sir Tim and his family who were happy with the idea, and they then advised the council and the airport board of their suggestion.
"Sir Tim said he felt ‘humbled’.
"He had always seen the value of connecting Invercargill to the rest of New Zealand.
"The runway extension was his first ‘big push’ as mayor."
Over the last year, Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark and Sir Tim’s partner Asha Dutt have not been able to agree on an appropriate homage to the former mayor.
A statue was proposed, but Mr Clark said he would not pay for it.
Speaking with the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Mr Clark said he did not have the power to make the call but welcomed the proposal.
"I have to talk to the council, which I think is a good idea.
"I spoke with my deputy mayor Tom Campbell who also thought it was a good idea.
"I need to talk to council and with people at the airport — probably we can’t change it in the flight tickets, but I can’t see why we couldn’t change the signage or have the pilot announce it as Sir Tim Shadbolt Airport when landing the plane."
He would start those conversations with the airport and his council to hopefully bring a solution to the council’s table soon.
Invercargill Airport chief executive Stuart Harris declined to comment on the matter yesterday.
