Update: Thursday 3rd July, Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark was readmitted to Southland Hospital overnight after falling ill during an evening walk on Wednesday.
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark is back home and recovering after suffering what doctors have described as mini-strokes on Sunday.
The 73-year-old had been preparing to attend a basketball game when he fell at home. Clark said he had felt fine beforehand but noticed tingling in his lips and fingers before losing his balance.
“I just stumbled and fell, for no reason for doing that, and I couldn’t pick myself up for about three or four minutes,” he said.
Clark spent two nights in Southland Hospital where he underwent four scans and received a diagnosis of Transient Ischemic Attacks — often referred to as mini-strokes. He was relieved to learn there was no lasting brain damage.
“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 joked, “Some people might argue I’ve already got the damage, but that’s another issue.”
This is not the first health scare for the mayor. He suffered a heart attack in December 2023 and had a double bypass. He returned to the mayoral role in March, with some believing he may have come back too soon.
Now, with just three months remaining until the local body elections, Clark says he will see out his term but will be more selective about where he puts his energy.
“I got advice today in hospital, before I came home, that I’ve got to manage the stress,” he said. “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.”
Clark, who has decided not to seek re-election, said he is at peace with the work completed during his time in office.
“Go back five years from now and look at what the inner city looked like, it was a decaying city in my view. We’ve come an awful long way.”
One of the final matters he hopes to see confirmed is the opening date for the new Te Unua Museum of Southland. He remains confident his fellow councillors will ensure the project stays on track.
Clark was absent from council meetings on Monday and Tuesday but plans to rest and recover at home as he finishes out his time as mayor.
Note: Some of the quotes are from Southland Tribune and whatsoninvers.nz