Whangarei Mayor Morris Cutforth says he will decide next week whether to take time off to recover from a stroke.
Mr Cutforth, who was elected in a landslide victory last October, had the stroke in February. One side of his body is numb and he tires easily.
The rookie mayor, a retired auctioneer, has continued to work part-time, but has faced some criticism for not chairing council meetings and for accepting a $6000 pay rise.
Mr Cutforth says he is working up to 30 hours per week and attending public functions, and he believes ratepayers are still getting value for money.
He says he is waiting for a written report from his neurologist, before deciding whether he needs to ask for extended leave.
