The 2022 Invercargill mayoral election will take place on 8 October 2022 as part of the New Zealand local elections. Incumbent mayorTim Shadbolt intends to run for a tenth term.[1]
In May 2021, former councillor and 2013 mayoral candidate Lindsay Dow began forming a coalition to defeat Shadbolt.[2] This followed a scandal wherein Shadbolt's driving licence was suspended and deputy mayor Nobby Clark criticized him for not being forthcoming about the reason. Shadbolt has had a history of contentious relationships with his deputy mayors,[3][4][5][6] even making reference to Brutus on two occasions.[7]
Several councillors have expressed concern about Shadbolt's ability to perform his job.[1] An independent report into council dysfunction in November 2020 found Shadbolt's lack of leadership as a key factor. Shadbolt publicly rubbished the report, despite earlier having voted with the council to accept the findings.[8] A follow-up report released in September 2021 noted overall improvement in the council but still dubbed Shadbolt "an unavoidable and inconvenient distraction".[9] An informal poll conducted by the Otago Daily Times in August 2021 found that 82% of respondents felt it was time for Shadbolt to resign.[10]
Gary Tong, the Mayor of Southland District, announced his candidacy on 28 October 2021, having decided to run about a year prior. He had informed Shadbolt of his intentions in September.[11]
