Cliff Skeggs

Sir Clifford George Skeggs was a New Zealand businessman and local politician. He served as mayor of Dunedin from 1977 to 1989.

Early life and family

Skeggs was born in Bluff, and was educated at Bluff School and Southland Technical College. He married Marie Ledgerwood in 1951, and they went on to have three sons.

Business career

Skeggs was involved in the fishing industry from 1953, and developed the Skeggs Group of which he was the chairman and chief executive into what was the largest private inshore fishing fleet in New Zealand with investments including shipping, aviation and property.

Political career

Skeggs was on the Dunedin City Council and Otago Harbour Board, and later was chairman of the port company Port Otago. He was mayor of Dunedin from 1977 to 1989.

Death

Skeggs died on 12 June 2025, at the age of 94.

Honours and awards

In the 1987 Queen's Birthday Honours, Skeggs was appointed a Knight Bachelor, in recognition of his service as the mayor of Dunedin. In 2000, he was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.