Westland District Mayor Bruce Smith has been airlifted to Christchurch hospital.

In a statement, the Westland District Council said Smith had been recovering following a bout of ill health, and was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital on Sunday.

Smith has been Westland District Mayor since 2016.

Deputy Mayor David Carruthers said ”this is a rough time for him, Jenny and their children and grandchildren, and our thoughts are with them all at this time.”