Taupo's newly elected mayor has told local residents that he might have to skip art gallery openings, cocktail parties and marae visits in his community, not because he isn't interested, but because of his significant hearing loss The former rescue helicopter pilot lost much of his hearing after a life-threatening bout of septicemia more than two decades ago, that means it is difficult for him to hear in places where there is background noise. Taupo Mayor John Funnell joins Jesse now.