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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

Play your way across Tauranga this Play Week Aotearoa

Play is being celebrated and encouraged across Tauranga next week, with a range of fun, family-friendly activities on offer as part of Play Week Aotearoa 2025.

Running 20 – 26 October, this national initiative led by Sport New Zealand in collaboration with Tauranga City Council and Sport Bay of Plenty encourages people of all ages to engage in play, so children and adults can experience the benefits such as movement, connection and wellbeing.

As part of the planned events in Tauranga, adults are encouraged to challenge their workmates and take part in lunchtime games at Red Square in the city centre throughout the week or play board games at Pāpāmoa Library. Children and their whānau can explore the Historic Village at Bub's Play Day on Thursday, 23 October, jump on the Halloween Trail at Tauranga Library on Saturday, 25 October, or check out Tutarawānanga – Yatton Park on Sunday, 26 October for Nature Play Day.

People keen to celebrate Play Week in their own time can take on the play trail through the city centre anytime by downloading a map from the What’s on Tauranga website. There’s also a downloadable inclusive activity card, developed in collaboration with Parafed Bay of Plenty, which offers play challenges for all abilities to enjoy at home, school, or out in the community.

With Tauranga being home to awa (water), ngahere (forest), whenua (land), maunga (mountain), and the moana (sea), our city’s natural environment also offers diverse settings for play.

Deputy Mayor and Mauao/Mount Maunganui Ward Councillor Jen Scoular says some people may think play only relates to playgrounds and sports field but there are many other ways to experience play – not just during Play Week, but every week.

“We have Mauao and McLaren Falls right on our doorstep for wonderful options to explore the outdoors, especially now that summer is approaching, and daylight hours are longer. These outdoor options really add to the diverse range of playgrounds. walkways, skateparks, and sports courts and fields available across Tauranga,” says Jen.

“Play adds joy, it is fun, and it is great for our physical and mental health. Play can build friendships and a life-long love of being active and learning new skills. I encourage the people of Tauranga across all ages to make time for play in their lives and celebrate different ways to do that over Play Week.”

The full programme of events for Play Week Aotearoa 2025 can be found at: whatsontauranga.co.nz/play-week-2025

Play Week Aotearoa 2025
20 – 26 October 2025

Posted: Oct 15, 2025,

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