Tributes flow for former Mayor David Trewavas
David Trewavas was mayor of Taupō from 2013-2025.
Long-serving Taupō Mayor David Trewavas has died.
David James Trewavas, 63, passed away early Tuesday morning with Taupō Funeral Services confirming the news in a social media post.
“Dearly loved husband of Anna. Much loved father and father-in-law of Heidi and Aiden, Krissi and Matt, Charlotte, and Ruby. Cherished Grandad of Cameron, Hayley, Georgi, and Ella.
“Deeply loved and forever remembered by his family and all who knew him.
“The family sincerely thanks everyone for their love and support at this difficult time and kindly ask for privacy as they come to terms with their loss.”
Taupō Mayor John Funnell also announced the news at a full council meeting on Tuesday morning, saying while there had been no formal statement from the family, it was appropriate to acknowledge his 24 years of service to the community. That included four terms as mayor and two as a councillor.
In early 2019, Trewavas underwent a kidney transplant, with his wife Anna donating one of her’s.
The pair spent 10 hours in surgery for the proceedure.
Tributes have started rolling in for Trewavas, who was mayor of Taupō from 2013-2025.
Taupō MP Louise Upston says she is “deeply saddened “ by the news.
“Over the past 18 years, I have had the privilege of working alongside David on a wide variety of issues that mattered to our community. He cared deeply about the people he represented and brought both commitment and heart to public service.
“David was a champion for the district and was always proud to stand up for the interests of those in our community.
“His contribution to Taupō leaves a lasting legacy, and his loss will be felt by many across our district.”
My thoughts are with his wife Anna, their daughters, family, friends, the council and all those who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed.
Council chief executive Julie Gardyne worked with Mr Trewavas for four years and says his self-deprecating humour, outgoing personality and genuine liking for people were a real asset to him in his role as Mayor.
“He had a great way of breaking the ice with others. He built connections everywhere he went which have stood the council in good stead as it looks for positive outcomes for the district and its people.”
Funnell says throughout his mayoralty, Trewavas was a people person, always friendly and approachable and with a genuine interest in other people and their issues.
“David served the district with professionalism, dedication and a commitment to helping others; and for that he was hugely loved. He was widely respected, both within the district but also in local government throughout New Zealand and nationally, for his kindness, integrity and the effort he put into building relationships – he was known for remembering the name of everyone he met.
“David was an enthusiastic and positive advocate for the Taupō District. He never missed an opportunity to promote the district, whether it was on local radio, or on BBC International.”
Hundreds of comments had flooded social media with an hour of the news of his passing.
Former councillor Kirsty Trueman who served alongside David for 15 years on the council said “Rest in love David”.
“My heart goes out to all the whānau. Such a devastating loss, he was an amazing guy who could talk to anyone and have them laughing. I appreciate all the years we got to work together and all that he gave to the community. Moe mai rā e te Rangatira. Arohanui e te whānau.” - Former councillor Kirsty Trueman.
An Kylie Bowater summed up the sentiments of many local residents saying; “Oh David Trewavas you were a wonderful human being we had some laughs I never forget u sitting with dad doing his final speech and the comments u made about dad and mum and the milkman the compassion u showed our family in dads final days and afterward and organising the service for us and I always checking in on mum , always supporting our ideas rest easy our friend lots of hugs to Anna and Ruby and family.”
In his own words
When Taupō News caught up with Trewavas in October last year, after the 2025 local elections he said he was going to miss the meeting and greeting that goes with the job but says the council meetings were never his favourite part of the job.
He has been a familiar face around the district in his four terms as mayor, attending a huge number of events – big and small.
“That's been the best part of the job is meeting all the different people and ... from all walks of life and helping people, you know, he said.”
He says one of the funniest moments he had as mayor was when one of his constituents complained about having his underwear stolen from the clothes line at his pensioner flat.
“I said ‘no problem, Pete, I'll get you some more’. So I went to Farmers and got him a voucher.”
His last job on the Friday night before the election results were announced (October 10) involved organising freedom for a German tourist who was locked in the toilets down at the boat harbour.
“So, you know, the varied things that you get involved with, but that's what I love. I just love sort of helping people.”
He’s had six terms on the Taupō District Council, two as councillor, including a term as Deputy Mayor and four terms as Mayor.
“I don't enjoy the elongated council meetings much and policy and all that. So that's why I always had good people around me that, you know, who would help me through those things.
“I'm the old school man, probably, being approachable and that sort of thing. That's what I'm most comfortable with.”
Previous careers include being a stock agent, he was chief executive of King Country Rugby Union for a while and spent 40 years in retail.
“I'm most comfortable up at Owen Delany Park with a bowl of chips and a beer, watching the rugby, you know. That was my Saturday afternoon treat, as it were.”
Notable achievements during his tenure as Mayor include a key role in lobbying to save the local rescue helicopter service, with the Government of the day looking to centralise services.
He pulled out all the stops even calling on famous names like Rachel Hunter and Helen Clark to lobby on behalf of the local service.
Lobbying Central Government to get funds for the CBD redevelopment and the new Taupō Airport Terminal were also key projects in his time.
Other key relationships have made an impact too such as the continuation of direct flights from Taupō to Auckland.
“My relationship with Air New Zealand has been one of my strengths, with the latest one, with (previous ceo) Greg Foran, to maintain their service in Taupō.
“There's been times that they've said, ‘oh, you know, we might have to look at that service’, but I've had a very good relationship, especially with Greg Foran.”
He has maintained close contact with successive prime ministers and says maintaining an apolitical stance was important.
“I've always had a great connection right from Helen Clark to John Key ... Chris Hipkins, and then Luxon. I've always maintained that tight connection with them.”
He says applications for funding for various things like the airport and the downtown Taupō reconstruction did not just happen.
“They come by, you know, by connection and by visitations and all that sort of thing.”
It hasn’t always been plain sailing and in early 2019, David underwent a kidney transplant, with his wife Anna donating one of her’s.
The pair spent 10 hours in surgery for the proceedure.
David had ongoing medication for the transplant, but remarkably did not missa full council meeting in the last three years.