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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

Catch the Black Caps in action — and a free bus ride into town

Catch the Black Caps in action —  and a free bus ride into town

Getting between the city centre and Bay Oval couldn't be easier this weekend as Black Caps fever hits Tauranga.

Whether you're a die-hard cricket fan or just keen to soak in the atmosphere, buses will make it easy to park 'n' ride from the city centre to the T20 clashes with Australia on Friday and Saturday.

The regular BayBus Number 5 service running from the city centre will take you straight to the action - with charter buses offering free rides back into town.

Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the buses offered a hassle-free alternative to driving around the Oval looking for a park.

"It means you can enjoy a meal and a drink in the city centre before heading off to the action - and after the game as well," he said.

"City centre car parks are free all weekend from 5pm Friday, including parking buildings, so the only cost is a one-way bus fare to the Oval."

The Chappell-Hadlee series is heating up, with rising star Tim Robinson smashing his first international century in last night's defeat.

"The Black Caps will be out for redemption," Mahé said.

"And you can be there to cheer them on."

Getting there:
Hop on the Number 5 bus from a city centre bus stop (e.g. outside the University of Waikato). You’ll be dropped off at Totara Street, just a short walk to Bay Oval. Standard fares apply on the way over (Bee Card or up to $3.40 cash).

Getting home:
After the match, buses will be waiting on Miro Street outside Bay Oval for a free ride back to Hamilton Street in the city centre.

Extra info:
The Number 5 bus service departs city centre stops to Totara Street every 15 minutes on Friday and every 30 minutes on Saturday.

Parking in the city centre is free after 5pm on weekdays and all weekend. Parking options can be found here.

For timetables and fare details for getting to the cricket, visit the BayBus website - fares of up to $3.40 cash may apply. Free buses back to the city centre will operate on demand.

Image captionCity centre bus stops
Posted: Oct 2, 2025,

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