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Koromatua o Tauranga

Mayor of Tauranga

Mahé Drysdale was elected to be the Mayor of Tauranga after the 2024 local body elections. 

About Mayor Mahé Drysdale

Mayor Mahé Drysdale

As Mayor of Tauranga, Mahé’s vision is to see Tauranga fulfil its potential, so it becomes known as New Zealand’s best city. 

Our city’s population is growing, so he is focused on delivering the infrastructure and facilities that the Tauranga community needs and wants, while ensuring that every ratepayer dollar is spent smartly and efficiently.

Financial acumen

Mahé brings experience in accounting and financial management to the governance table having worked in investment and advisory roles for both Hobson Wealth and Forsyth Barr Limited. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Auckland in accounting and commercial law. He also completed a Graduate Diploma of Commerce in information technology. He worked in an accounting firm early in his career and is an ACA with Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ).

Sporting achievements

Mahé is a two-time Olympic Champion in 2012 and 2016 in the single scull and won the World Championship five times, so knows what it takes to set and achieve ambitious goals on the global stage.

Mahé was Flag Bearer and Team Captain of the New Zealand Olympic Team at the 2008 Games. He was the Supreme Halberg Award Winner in 2006 and winner of the Sportsman of the Year at the Halberg Awards 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2016. He was inducted as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (M.N.Z.M) in 2009. 

Since retiring from professional sport, Mahé has been a mentor and leader.  He has been a strong advocate for elite athletes as a co-Chair of the Athletes Co-operative, which has sought to improve terms and conditions of elite athletes with High Performance Sport New Zealand. 

A long-standing connection to Tauranga

Mahé was raised in Tauranga, attending Tauranga Primary School, Tauranga Intermediate and Tauranga Boys' College before heading to Auckland for his sixth form and then direct to University in Auckland. He took up the sport of rowing at university – he went on to have a very successful 22-year career in the sport.

His grandfather, the late Sir Robert Owens, served as Mayor of Tauranga (1968-1977) and Mount Maunganui (1971-1974).

He is married to Juliette and has three children.

Mahé welcomes the opportunity to be involved in the community and for people to share their views. 

How to contact the mayor

Correspondence for the Mayor of Tauranga

Email mayor@tauranga.govt.nz if you have any general correspondence for the Mayor of Tauranga.

Media queries for the Mayor of Tauranga

Email communications@tauranga.govt.nz if you have a media query for the Mayor of Tauranga.

Follow the mayor on social media

Post a letter to the mayor

Mayor Mahé Drysdale
Private Bag 12022
Tauranga 3143

Invite the mayor to an event

Email maree.king@tauranga.govt.nz if you would like to invite the mayor to an event.

In your invitation, please describe the event, including:

  • Event name 
  • Date and time of event
  • Location 
  • An idea of who will be attending.
  • Duration of the event
  • Desired duration of the mayor’s attendance
  • Whether you would like the mayor to give a speech – if so, what you would like him to talk about and how long you would like the speech to be? (three to five minutes is the average length of a speech).

The mayor’s Executive Assistant will check his availability. If the mayor is not available, the mayor’s office may suggest that the invitation be extended to another Tauranga City Council elected representative.

For enquiries, please contact us on 07 577 7011.

For general council enquiries contact Tauranga City Council.

Watch Mayor Drysdale's video marking one-year in the job

News

Tauranga gears up to host biggest-ever Zespri AIMS Games

Tauranga is once again preparing to welcome thousands of young athletes and their supporters from across Aotearoa and the Pacific for the biggest-ever Zespri AIMS Games, taking place from 30 August to 5 September 2025.

Tauranga is once again preparing to welcome thousands of young athletes and their supporters from across Aotearoa and the Pacific for the biggest-ever Zespri AIMS Games, taking place from 30 August to 5 September 2025. 

More than 14,000 athletes representing 431 schools will compete across 27 sporting codes at 33 venues across the city. The scale of the event is immense – it’s Australasia’s largest junior sporting event, with athlete numbers rivalling the Olympics.

Now in its 21st year, the tournament remains proudly rooted in Tauranga, with the majority of services and suppliers sourced locally. Delivered using existing public sport and recreation facilities, the event showcases the strength of community collaboration and the city’s capacity to host world-class events. 

Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the city is ready to extend a warm welcome to everyone from near and far who will be attending. 

“Every athlete, coach, teacher, and whānau member who comes to Tauranga is part of something truly special. We want them to feel the manaakitanga of our city – to enjoy the competition, and to leave with memories that last a lifetime,” he says.

The Zespri AIMS Games are delivered by the AIMS Games Trust – a partnership between the four-founding intermediate schools: Ōtūmoetai, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, and Te Puke, alongside Zespri, Tauranga City Council, and Sport Bay of Plenty. 

Hosting the Zespri AIMS Games is a proud moment for Tauranga. It’s more than just a sporting event; it showcases our city to thousands of visitors while delivering real benefits for our community and economy.  
Last year’s tournament generated $8.78 million for Tauranga’s economy. There were over 26,000 unique attendees, generating 79,201 visitor nights. Residents felt the benefits, with 91% of those surveyed saying the Games increased their pride in the city and 80% agreeing it made Tauranga a more enjoyable place to live. 

The Zespri AIMS Games celebrate diversity and give young people from all backgrounds the chance to compete on a national stage. The Positive Vibes Only campaign, in partnership with Sport Bay of Plenty and Sport Waikato, will again be in full swing this year – promoting positive sideline behaviour and supporting a fun, safe experience for all. 

Tournament director Kelly Schischka explains that the ongoing growth and success of the Zespri AIMS Games comes down to focusing on the athletes and their experience. 

"One of the reasons the Zespri AIMS Games continues to grow and thrive is that we work incredibly hard to be relevant to our athletes – whether it’s through the new codes and formats we introduce, or by being at the cutting edge of promoting amazingly positive sideline behaviour." 

"Our entire focus and kaupapa is about giving our athletes an incredibly wholesome experience – centred around competition, teamwork, camaraderie and sportsmanship – which will give them memories to last a lifetime." 

Teams within Tauranga City Council have been working behind the scenes for months to ensure the city is ready to host. It’s a huge collective effort. 

From preparing fields and facilities to coordinating transport, sustainability initiatives, and community partnerships – Council teams, alongside sporting clubs and local organisations, have all played their part. It takes an incredible amount of teamwork and collaboration to prepare the city for thousands of young athletes. 

Mayor Drysdale says that teamwork is something to be proud of. 

“Delivering an event of this magnitude is a citywide effort. The AIMS Games Trust, Council staff, local clubs, and volunteers all play an enormous role in bringing it together. I’m incredibly proud of their mahi and of the way Tauranga unites to host an event that shines a light on the talent of our rangatahi and the welcoming spirit our city is known for.” 

With free public entry to most sporting events and a festival of community activities alongside the competition, residents are encouraged to come along and experience the energy, skill, and passion of New Zealand’s future sporting stars – right here in Tauranga. 

Zespri AIMS Games events are open to the community: 

Hip Hop Performance Events
Saturday, 30 August, 5pm – Mercury Baypark

Watch 44 of the country’s best intermediate-aged Hip Hop crews battle it out in a high-energy showcase. Tickets are available for purchase via the Zespri AIMS Games website. 

Waterfront Movie - 'Eddie the Eagle' & 'Cool Runnings' 
Tuesday, 2 September - Northern Waterfront, The Strand

Head along to the Tauranga waterfront for a sports-focused Night Owl Cinema double-header. 

Netball Under Lights 
Wednesday, 3 September, 4pm – 8pm – Tauranga Netball Centre, Blake Park 
Come along to support 157 Netball teams, enjoy roving entertainers, face painting, food vendors, a What’s on Tauranga photobooth, and the Zespri AIMS Games merchandise pop-up shop. 

Rip Rugby Finals Under Lights 
Thursday 4 September 2025, 4pm – 7:30pm – Bay Oval, Blake Park 

See a record-breaking 75 Rip Rugby teams compete under lights at Bay Oval International Cricket Ground, with off-field entertainment, a What’s on Tauranga photobooth, food vendors, and family activities. 

Read more event information on the What's on Tauranga website

Media enquiries | communications@tauranga.govt.nz
Zespri AIMS Games | www.nzaimsgames.co.nz
 

Posted: Aug 21, 2025,

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