Cliff Skeggs

Sir Clifford George Skeggs (19 March 1931 – 12 June 2025) 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 (Pacifica Air) 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.

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.