Following the footsteps: Sir Tim's son joins Youth Council
“I really would like to be in a leadership position of that size, and I would really like to serve my city."
It appears Sir Tim Shadbolt’s long-time thirst for politics has rubbed off on his 12-year-old son Declan.
Declan will somewhat follow in Sir Tim’s footsteps when he attends the Invercargill City Council’s first 2025 Youth Council meeting on Wednesday.
When the James Hargest College Year 8 pupil heard about the Youth Council last year through a friend, he was eager to be involved so put his name forward.
He went through an interview process and was delighted to be appointed to Invercargill’s 2025 Youth Council.
Shadbolt’s tenure in politics was legendary. He was one of the most recognisable names in Local Government in New Zealand throughout his career. He ended up being knighted as a result.
Shadbolt’s mayoral career started when he was elected Mayor of Waitemata in 1983 and finished when he was not re-elected as Mayor of Invercargill in 2022.
Declan was by Sir Tim’s side for those later years in the mayoral office. He grew up in and around the Invercargill City Council political landscape.
Asha Dutt - Shadbolt’s long-time partner and Declan’s mother - jokingly said she was a little dismayed that the political intrigue had rubbed off on Declan.
“[Politics] is all he has ever known from day one, obviously something has been passed on,” Dutt said.
She added that they were very proud of Declan for putting his hand up for the Youth Council and being appointed at 12 years old.
“He’s done very well to get through.”
Declan told The Tribune he was looking forward to being part of the Youth Council.
“I really would like to be in a leadership position of that size, and I would really like to serve my city,” he said.
As for Sir Tim’s political interests rubbing off on him?
“I guess it has. It’s something that’s been within me, that I have wanted to do something like this,” Declan said about joining the Youth Council.
In October last year Declan delivered a special tribute to Shadbolt - in regard to his time as Invercargill’s Mayor - when he spoke at the unveiling of the renamed Sir Tim Shadbolt Terminal at the Invercargill Airport.
In that speech Declan told the gathering that the newly renamed Sir Tim Shadbolt Terminal would remind him of his childhood when he “lived in the public eye with the dynamic one-of-a-kind Mayor of Invercargill who will always have my love and admiration”.
“It will trigger memories of the duties that came with the mayoralty.
“The daily printed schedules that ruled our lives, the never-ending events, the speeches, the travel, the always rushing to appointments and then running late, people asking us for selfies, the bags of chicken chips tucked away in the drawer of the mayor’s lounge, the sandwiches Tim brought home from the office, the constant ringing of his cell phone, but most of all the enduring kindness of the public towards us on his journey as Mayor.
“These are aspects of the era which I will never forget.”
The Invercargill City Youth Council exists to empower the youth of the city by ensuring their voices are heard on local matters, and during the council decision-making processes.
The Youth Council is made up of up to 25 rangatahi aged 12 to 24.
At 12, Declan will be one of the youngest on the Youth Council.
They meet every four weeks with additional engagement opportunities available in between.
Youth Council members explore the workings of the council, share ideas from a youth perspective, get involved with local community organisations and connect with other young people of Invercargill.
Above all, they foster new friendships.