Tony Randle is fifth sitting councillor to die in less than four months

Summarised by Centrist

Wellington City councillor Tony Randle has died suddenly at the age of 65, becoming the fifth sitting New Zealand councillor to pass away in less than four months.

Randle represented Wellington’s Takapū/Northern Ward. He was first elected in 2022 and re-elected last year. Friend and broadcaster Michael Laws described his death as unexpected and said it resulted from a heart condition.

His death follows that of Porirua City councillor Mike Duncan, who died suddenly at home on 14 June, aged 76. Duncan had represented Porirua since 2016.

Long-serving Waitaki District councillor Jim Hopkins died on 27 July, aged 79. His family’s funeral notice said he died suddenly. Hopkins had represented the Oamaru Ward since 2007 and was also widely known for his career in radio and television.

Greater Wellington councillor Adrienne Staples died unexpectedly on 20 April, while Bay of Plenty regional councillor and former Kawerau mayor Malcolm Campbell died after a short illness on 21 May. That means five serving councillors have died in less than four months.

No connection between the three deaths has been reported, and no shared cause has been established.

Other recent political deaths include former Taupō mayor David Trewavas, who died suddenly on 28 July, one day after Hopkins. The 63-year-old had served on the Taupō District Council for 24 years, including four terms as mayor. The council described his death as unexpected.

Other prominent political figures to die during the same period include former Auckland mayor and Olympian Les Mills, aged 91, former Selwyn mayor Kelvin Coe, aged 82, and former finance minister Sir Bill Birch, aged 92. Mills and Coe were reported to have died peacefully, while Birch died after a long illness.

Read more at The NZ Herald

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