Biddle: 'I don’t think politics will ever leave who I am'

Former Invercargill deputy mayor Toni Biddle has made the shift to Christchurch and hasn't ruled out a shot at central government politics in the future.

Former Invercargill deputy mayor and 2022 mayoral hopeful Toni Biddle has shifted to Christchurch.

Former deputy mayor Toni Biddle points to a multiple reasons behind a quick-fire decision to shift to Christchurch.

It includes - amongst many things - what she feels has been an “energy shift” in Invercargill.

Biddle served as Sir Tim Shadbolt’s deputy mayor up to 2020 when she resigned from the Invercargill City Council.

She then stood for the mayoralty last year finishing second to Nobby Clark in the election.

Biddle had intended to have another shot at the job in 2025 but is now focused on life living in Christchurch.

Biddle and husband Kris MacLellan packed up their Invercargill home last week and made the move to Christchurch this week.

“We made this decision pretty quickly. It was a combination of opportunities for myself and my husband that triggered the idea.

“[The reasons are] both personal and a career opportunity.”

While Biddle was wary of delving too deep into her thoughts, she did feel there had been a change of energy in Murihiku of late and had there been some negativity bubbling away in some quarters.

“I don’t know how to say it without getting in trouble, other than to say there has been a shift in energy.

“It feels more positive already being here [in Christchurch]. I have been through a lot with the loss of Dad and the local government dynamics and I’m looking forward to having a bit of rest and also learning while I’m here.”

The opportunity to grow professionally is what excites Biddle.

Biddle confirmed she does hold an interest in potentially entering central government politics in the future. She wants to continue to build her knowledge around how government works.

While Biddle hasn’t been aligned with any political party she confirmed she was approached by the National Party to gauge her interest prior to the 2020 election.

There was also an approach from New Zealand First, which Biddle also declined.

Just which party Biddle would align with if she did choose to have a crack at central government politics was something that would still need to be sorted.

“I’ve just never had a strong alignment to one party or another.”

“I don’t think [politics] will ever leave who I am. I still think there is that yearning to be in the political sphere and I’m taking the opportunity while I’m working in Government to understand the mechanics of that. I want to take the opportunity to learn as much as I can about the public sector.”

Biddle is employed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as part of the “Just Transition” work.

She has had a Southland focus in the role and that work will continue. However, the project is nationwide, and Biddle was able to transfer to Christchurch.

“I just want an opportunity to learn from a city that is developing rapidly. I think there are lots of opportunities to see how they have done things up here.

“I get to work for a government sector alongside local government to see how they are progressing and see how things are done in a different place.”

“I’m really interested in economic development, and I think there is a lot of learning to be done from Christchurch.”

Biddle said she may well decide down the track that she could have a bigger impact remaining working in the public sector than pursuing political opportunities.

Her husband Kris has a good network of friends in Christchurch and he had been very supportive during Biddle’s time as an advocate in Southland, including through her time in local government politics.

“I just think it’s time I do that for him.”

While Christchurch is now where Biddle resides, she points out Murihiku will always remain home.

Biddle won’t be a stranger, she already has some visits pencilled in. It includes a trip south next month when she will MC the Southland Business Excellence Awards.