AM host Ryan Bridge has thrown his support behind Sir Tim Shadbolt getting his own statue in Invercargill.
Shadbolt, 76, was New Zealand's longest-serving mayor before he was beaten at the last local body election in October by Nobby Clark.
Shadbolt overcame his initial embarrassed hesitance after getting support from people around him, who believed it was the most appropriate form of tribute.
"I am flattered by the idea it could be a drawcard for Invercargill, in a way that people can interact with my image for many years to come. I quite like the term 'living tribute'," Shadbolt told Stuff.
His partner Asha Dutt envisaged a 3D, living tribute, something that would be a drawcard to the city and capitalise on Shadbolt's status as a "Kiwi icon".
But current mayor Clark isn't in favour of the idea saying a life-size statue of Shadbolt would cost between $100,000 and $200,000, which isn't an appropriate use of ratepayer funds.
Bridge told AM on Wednesday he thinks Shadbolt deserves a statue but ratepayers shouldn't pay for it.
"Do you know what, I say let's give him one. He's a national treasure. He's a national icon. He has brought our attention to Southland, I think, more than anything else, I mean, obviously, it's a beautiful place to visit, but what a character, what a guy. Longest serving mayor, 26 years in the job. I think he deserves a statue," Bridge said.
Bridge even suggested starting a GoFundMe page to help fund the statue.
Fellow AM host Laura Tupou also supported the idea of Shadbolt getting a statue.
"Not everyone wants a statue, so maybe we should give him one just because I mean, he has served 26 years," she said.
"Maybe we should just give him what he wants. He's helped everyone else for those years."
There was a mixed reaction from AM viewers to Shadbolt getting a station.
One viewer, who emailed the show in support of Shadbolt getting a statue said he's an "awesome Kiwi" while another added, "he's an iconic New Zealander, build him a statue to go along with the wizard's statue in Christchurch another New Zealand icon".
But not everyone was supportive of the idea. Another AM viewer emailed the show saying, "Tim was doing his job as Mayor, being paid a large salary. We all work for our salary and we don't get statues for doing a good job, so why should he?"
Clark also suggested renaming Splash Palace - a swimming pool complex - after Shadbolt.
Watch the video above.
