KEY POINTS:
Former Auckland mayor and Auckland Regional Council chairman Colin Kay, CBE, has died. He was 82.
Mr Kay served as the city's mayor from 1980 to 1983, then turned his attention to the Auckland Regional Authority. He served as chairman from 1986 to 1992, during which time the authority was replaced by the Auckland Regional Council.
Mr Kay's public service was not limited to local body politics. He was a lifelong sports enthusiast, having represented New Zealand in the triple jump at the Empire Games (now the Commonwealth Games) in Auckland in 1950. In 1962 he led the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team to Perth, where it won a record 32 medals.
With Arthur Lydiard, Mr Kay formed the Auckland Joggers Club in 1962, and was a key organiser of the first Round the Bays run in 1973.
In 1977 he was joint founder of the New Zealand Sports Foundation, with businessman Douglas Myers, and served as governor of that organisation for 16 years. He also served on the board of directors for the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, and on the board of Netball NZ.
Auckland City Mayor John Banks said yesterday that Mr Kay was a man who dedicated his life to public service and civic duty. "He was a good man who worked tirelessly for many good causes and for a city he loved."
Mr Kay was made a CBE in 1990 for services to sport, politics and the community.
He suffered a major stroke over a year ago, and had ongoing health problems. He is survived by wife Jill and sons Geoff, Greg and Tim.
