Central Otago’s former mayor Tim Cadogan swapped public service for a prime-time quiz show on Monday night (November 25), giving a strong performance on The Chase New Zealand alongside host Paul Henry. 

Tim was part of a mixed-bag team featuring Reagan, a 34-year-old podcast host from Auckland; Raiha, a 46-year-old stay-at-home mum from the Far North; and Laura, a 28-year-old Wellington lawyer.  

Taskmaster for the episode was Anne Hegerty - better known to viewers as The Governess.

Tim held his own in the cash-builder, banking $16,000 thanks to a string of quick-fire answers.

He was on the money with ‘dot your i's and cross your t’s’, knew exactly which decade the Street Fighter arcade game arrived, and immediately clocked Timaru’s famous statue of Phar Lap.

He also nailed which New Zealand Prime Minister died in office and showed bush-knowledge with a question on the huhu grub - though a Lorde song title tripped him up.

In his introduction, Paul accidentally upgraded Tim to ex-mayor of “Otago”, prompting a fast Central Otago correction from Tim.

In one of the episode’s funnier detours, Paul quizzed Tim about his “theatrical endeavours”, with Tim admitting to appearing in The Full Monty, joking it was “a few years and a few kilos ago”, and giving a shout-out to the Alexandra Musical Society.

After banking his $16,000, Tim was coaxed into a celebratory dance. Paul’s verdict? “It’s terrible.” 

It was a full house heading into the final round, with all four contestants in play and $44,000 on the table. 

Whether they managed to outrun The Governess is something viewers will have to check out for themselves, with the episode available to watch on TVNZ in demand.

It was the second showing for Central Otago in as many weeks, with Cromwell truck driver and former "world champion axeman" Brad Pako competing last Monday (November 17).