Sir Tim Shadbolt Airport; how does that sound?

“Naming it Sir Tim Shadbolt Airport is a great reflection of Sir Tim’s promotion of Invercargill and the region as well as his connections across New Zealand and globally."

A group of Sir Tim Shadbolt supporters suggest the Invercargill Airport should be renamed the Invercargill Airport.

A group of Sir Tim Shadbolt supporters are calling on the Invercargill Airport to be renamed the Sir Tim Shadbolt Airport.

And it’s an idea Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark is personally backing and willing to promote.

Four North Island-based Shadbolt supporters - Margaret Evans, Max Purnell, John Bower, and Doug Owens - have penned a statement suggesting the renaming of the Invercargill Airport would be a fitting way to honour the long-time mayor who finished in the role last October.

“The airport is the gateway to the south with direct flights from Auckland, welcoming thousands of home-comers, students, and tourists through the attractive modern terminal.

“Naming it Sir Tim Shadbolt Airport is a great reflection of Sir Tim’s promotion of Invercargill and the region as well as his connections across New Zealand and globally.

“There is a close link through the Invercargill City Council’s majority ownership and Sir Tim’s time as an airport company director, along with his enthusiasm at the prospect of international flights.”

The Shadbolt supporters gathered from across New Zealand last month to sort through Sir Tim’s stored ‘paper mountain’ ready for archiving.

Speaking on their behalf, former Hamilton mayor Margaret Evans said locals in Invercargill were keen to discuss the ongoing saga of ‘what to do to honour Sir Tim’ and his unprecedented legacy, after his departure as the longest-serving mayor in the country in October.

“It has been a nationwide story; how best to commemorate Sir Tim’s extraordinary life. And we are suggesting the naming of Invercargill Airport is a great start.”

“There is a widespread tradition of public and civic recognition and for Invercargill the airport naming would be a great follow on from the city’s Eve Poole Library. And it comes at minimal cost.

“We have advised the City Council and the Airport Board of our suggestion and now await a positive response.

“We have also discussed the idea with Sir Tim and his family and they are agreeable.

“In fact, 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.”

Mayoral candidates last year suggested something should be done to honour Shadbolt if his time as mayor was up.

However, nothing to date has happened as new mayor Clark and Shadbolt’s partner Asha Dutt have had differing opinions of what would be appropriate.

One of Clark’s suggested tribute options was to rename the Gala St reserve the Sir Tim Shadbolt Reserve. The naming would run from Dee St right through to Queens Drive.

However, that was declined by Shadbolt and Dutt.

Another suggestion was that the Splash Palace pool be renamed the Sir Tim Shadbolt Aquatic Centre. That too was declined.

Shadbolt suggested a statue be erected although Clark and Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell both voiced their unease about that idea for various reasons.

It got to the point where Dutt chose to stop dealing with Clark over the matter.

However, it seems Shadbolt, Dutt and Clark all now agree the renaming of the Invercargill Airport would be a good fit.

“I think it is quite a creative idea,” Clark told The Tribune.

“I’m not an expert [on airports] so I’m seeking some advice…. If it’s doable I think it would be quite a good idea. He very much pushed for the longer runway which opened up some potential for international flights and things.

“I just think it keeps his name to the fore given his length of service to the city, I think that would be a great outcome.”

“Again, the decision is not mine, but I’m certainly keen to promote that and I have had some initial discussions with [Deputy Mayor] Tom Campbell, and he also supports it.

“It would need to go to council but we would also need to go to the airport company because there may be stuff around what the Airways allow or don’t allow.”