RIP Jim Hopkins

Sad to note the passing of Jim Hopkins. I had met him a few times at political retreats, and he was a hugely intelligent and entertaining guy.

Lianne Dalziel has a nice tribute that captures him well:

I often used to travel to Oamaru for the North Canterbury IHC debate. It was always a great event because of the extraordinary energy and wit that Jim brought to the occasion every single time.

He was incredible. I would watch in awe as he scribbled notes on a few pieces of paper just before taking to the stage to mesmerise the audience as he did year in year out. It seemed so effortless, and his sense of the absurd was infectious.

He was a natural talent. I also recall him taking part in celebrity debates and bringing the house down.

There are many people who will remember Jim in this role as a debater, or as a broadcaster, writer, MC, or raconteur, but this was not all by any means. His time as a councillor, first for Banks Peninsula and then for Oamaru, showed his true spirit. Behind the showman was someone with a deep passion for people and place, the essence of what makes a community.

And that was Jim: a deeply committed community advocate, who stood up for what mattered and what he believed in.

He was also a man of quite deep and philosophical political convictions, and was indeed committed to serving the community.