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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

Students urged to stay bus smart with new safety campaign

A new video campaign reminds students how to stay safe when catching the bus to and from school, just as Term 4 begins and hundreds of students return to their daily school commutes.

The ‘Stay bus smart’ video, developed in partnership with Travel Safe and Ōtūmoetai College, highlights simple but vital behaviours that help keep everyone safe – especially during busy morning and afternoon commutes.

In the past year, two Tauranga school students have been hit by a car after crossing in front of a bus. Matua-Ōtūmoetai Ward Councillor Glen Crowther says it’s crucial for people to understand how to cross safely.

“Every day, hundreds of students rely on the bus to get to school,” says Glen. “It’s easy, environmentally friendly, and efficient – but it works best when everyone rides smart and stays alert.”

Ōtūmoetai College student Alliya, who stars in the video and helped write the script, says the students wanted the message to feel authentic and relatable for their peers.

“We wanted to spread a message that truly speaks to students. Bus safety is more than just following rules – it's about looking out for each other and keeping everyone safe.”

The video follows a group of students as they demonstrate key safety tips, including:

  • standing back from the kerb while waiting for the bus, to avoid accidents with mirrors or traffic
  • giving the driver space to pull in safely – especially when waiting in large groups
  • crossing safely by walking behind the bus, never in front, and always checking both ways
  • waiting until the bus has left before crossing the road, ensuring a clear view for both students and drivers.

“Bus safety is a shared responsibility,” says Glen. “These small actions can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe."

Travel Safe is a team within Tauranga City Council that delivers road safety education across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.

Three children waiting at a bus stop
Travel Safe leaders from Ōtūmoetai College highlight the importance of staying bus smart and crossing safely by walking behind the bus and always checking both ways.
Posted: Oct 6, 2025,

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