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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

Robots, 3D printers and big ideas coming to Tauranga

Tauranga city centre is evolving into a vibrant hub of creativity and learning, and the upcoming Te Manawataki o Te Papa Library and Community Hub is at the heart of this transformation.

Among the standout features is the Creation Station - a hands-on, tech-powered space designed to ignite curiosity and foster innovation that has just been given a generous boost thanks to a $39,348 grant from Pub Charity Limited.

From laser cutting and 3D printing to vinyl design and sublimation printing, the Creation Station will offer a treasure trove of creative tools for people of all ages to explore, experiment, and bring their ideas to life.

Libraries & Community Hubs Manager, Joanna Thomas says the new space is about more than just technology - it’s about unlocking potential.

“Te Manawataki o Te Papa Library and Community Hub is a gateway for everyone to participate in learning, creativity, and our Tauranga stories. Amongst the books and media are special community spaces. As well as the Creation Station, the Imagination Station is a hub for storytelling and performances,” says Joanna.

“What I see for the future is children who are part of a story reading in the hub gaining confidence to be on the stage at Baycourt, or by trying out technology they can be inspired to create a product at Tinkd Makerspace or compete with STEM-ED at World Robotics. The community hub will cater to all ages -  bring your imagination, your curiosity, we’ve got you covered.”

Pub Charity Limited’s funding will enable the purchase of key technology and equipment to bring the Creation Station to life. 

We are proud to support the Creation Station at Te Manawataki o Te Papa Library and Community Hub," says Pub Charity Limited Managing Director, Martin Cheer.

This space will give tamariki, rangatahi and the wider community access to technology and creative tools rarely available elsewhere. Our grant will fund a laser cutter, vinyl printer/cutter, three 3D printers and a vacuform machine - bringing exciting opportunities for imagination, skill development and future innovation for years to come.”

The Creation Station is just one part of a broader vision to make the new Library and Community Hub a place where learning, creativity, and community come together. It’s a space where our city's future innovators, storytellers, and makers will find inspiration and support.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to opening day in late 2026.

Posted: Oct 7, 2025,

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