Sir Tim Shadbolt appointed Nobby Clark as deputy mayor. Photo / Luisa Girao-ODT
By Matthew Rosenberg, Local Democracy Reporter
It’s no coincidence there are masks hanging on Nobby Clark’s wall.
The deputy mayor of Invercargill, who’s developed a reputation as an abrasive character around the council table, says he’s been wearing one most of his life.
“Contrary to common belief, I’m quite insular. I’m quite an introvert in lots of ways, even though I portray the opposite.”
A code of conduct breach at the council over an accusation levelled at the council’s chief executive, a widely publicised falling out with Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt who labelled him “Brutus”, and mixed feedback in an independent review which described him as “polarising”.
These are just some of the episodes that have clouded the 69-year-old’s first term in council following 2019 election success.
But for former…
