Jim Hopkins: A Legacy of Wit and Service | Christchurch News

Christchurch News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 27, 2026 · 1m

A beloved figure in New Zealand’s public and media spheres, Waitaki District Councillor Jim Hopkins has passed away. Elected in 2007 and serving continuously until his death, Hopkins also held four terms on the Banks Peninsula Council and served as Deputy Mayor for three years. Before local government, he was a TV scriptwriter, presenter, radio voice, and after-dinner MC for over three decades. His bestseller “Blokes and Sheds” — later adapted into a TV series — cemented his legacy as a storyteller and champion of everyday inventors. Praised for his wit, integrity, and deep community…