Mayor hospitalised after suffering 'small strokes'

“I got advice today in hospital, before I came home, that I’ve got to manage the stress."

Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark fell at home on Sunday and knew something wasn’t right.

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Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark spent two nights in hospital after suffering “small strokes” and has been told to manage his stress.

Mayor Clark was at home on Sunday, with the intention of heading to cheer on the Southland Sharks, when he fell.

He was aware that something was not right, even though prior to the fall he was feeling fine.

“I just stumbled and fell, for no reason for doing that, and I couldn’t pick myself up for about three or four minutes,” Clark told The Tribune.

“I had a bit of tingling in the lips and the fingers, so that’s a warning sign.”

Mayor Clark was taken to Southland Hospital on Sunday and remained there until Tuesday afternoon, when he was released.

The 73-year-old, who praised the support he received at Southland Hospital, underwent four scans over two days to assess his condition.

“I’ve had all of the tests, and it doesn’t appear to be any significant damage, but I’ve just got to be careful.”

Clark is now at home recovering.

Mayor Clark’s latest health scare follows the minor heart attack he suffered in December, 2023.

That prompted him to undergo double bypass surgery before he returned to the Invercargill Mayoralty job in March, 2024.

Many felt he had returned to work too early.

Clark has three months left in the job before the October election and said, given there weren’t any significant decisions to be made before then, he would see out the term.

But Clark, who is known for throwing himself into many issues, confirmed he would be looking after himself.

“I got advice today in hospital, before I came home, that I’ve got to manage the stress.

“That’s the downside [of being mayor]. Some people get into it too heavily, which is what I’ve done, and that comes at a health cost.

“Other people would take things much quieter and pace themselves, and that’s their right to do that, but I think if you pace yourself too much, you don’t get too much done.”

Clark was an apology for council meetings on Monday and Tuesday.