They say blood is thicker than water and those words couldn’t be more true for Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan when he first announced he was stepping down.

When asked who had surprised him the most with their comments upon announcement of his resignation, Mayor Tim said it was his brother Bryan.

“I have had a huge number of emails, texts and other forms of messages with very kind wishes and thoughts. It’s been very humbling. One I loved in particular though was a person who said they would be sad to see me go after I spoke so well at the Dunedin Hospital rally, was actually my brother Bryan, which gave me a grin.”

Clutha District mayor - and Mayor Tim’s brother - Bryan Cadogan is also serving his final term.

On September 30, Mayor Tim announced his resignation via Facebook live, and come October 30, Central Otago district councillors will be naming their new leader.

He said Central Otago had not had anyone resign before their time was up before.

“I believe our first mayor, Bill McIntosh stood down at election time, but not a year out as I have done. No previous mayor has had an LTP (Long Term Plan) in the election year either though.”

While there was no “aha’’ moment for when he decided his time was up, Mayor Tim made it clear in recent weeks that since the Long Term Plan had been moved out to 2025, he needed to start thinking about how that would be better led by someone committed to it in the next election.

“From the outset, we always thought three terms was about the right amount of time for me.”

He said while those thoughts were simmering around in his mind, the job offer as local government engagement officer at Taumata Arowai came up.

His decision to leave within 12 months of the next local government election - held on October 12 - also meant the district was saved the $100,000 cost for a by-election to be held, so the timing was right, he said.

Mayor Tim said he was looking forward to immersing himself in city life in Wellington with his wife Linda, and had already booked two gigs to live concerts, which he planned to balance with more yoga - a recent love of his.

“I’m looking forward to being by the sea for a while, I’ve got good friends who have offered to take me sea fishing which I love. I’m going to read a lot more, particularly when the weather keeps us inside, which I suspect will be a lot,’’ he said.

“I’m going to play more guitar, properly get into yoga, go to every art exhibition that’s on, ride on buses and trains to explore different parts of the area. I’m going to keep myself busy, that’s for sure.

“I’ll need to, because I love this place and leaving is going to be bloody hard, so best to be busy to avoid thinking too much of what we have left behind.”

And of course, family will always be close to his heart.  

His advice to the next mayor will be the same thing his late mother said to Bryan, who then passed on to him in 2016 when he was first elected - three years after she died.

“Analyse every political decision you make, question and consider if your decisions can fully withstand moral scrutiny, and once you have formulated your decision, knowing it is morally the right thing to do, only you can defeat yourself”.