Mahé Drysdale

Currently serving: Mayor, Tauranga City Council Strong Accountable Leadership
Connect with Mahé Drysdale
Mahé Drysdale’s Elections & Candidacies

Note: This database contains data from the 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014 general elections, the 2025 local government election and is gradually being backfilled with other election data.

Contested 1 race — 1 elected

2024 Tauranga City Council Election • July 20, 2024 Local
  • Tauranga City Council (See full results)
    Affiliation: Independent
    Candidate Statement

    My principal place of residence is not in the Tauranga City Council area.

    Tauranga has an exciting future, I want the city to fulfil its potential. My vision is that Tauranga is known as New Zealand's best small city. I want to promote a positive image of our city on the national stage as an exciting and vibrant place to live.

    Our council must become a high performing team. I want to lead a Team of Ten approach, working towards creating a better city, with strong and accountable leadership.

    I have proven experience in working hard to achieve success. I bring experience in accounting and financial management to the table, working as a Financial Advisor at Forsyth Barr Limited.

    I am also an accountant.

    I am determined to effectively manage the challenging financial situation that the TCC faces, due to rising interest rates and cost pressures. Ensuring value for money in investment of precious resources.

    Please rank me 1 for your new Mayor.

    Final Elected
    Vote share • 27.0%
    16,606 votes
Offices held
  • Mayor
    Tauranga City Council
    Affiliation: Strong Accountable Leadership
    Jul 2024 – present
In the News
Mount Maunganui landslide: Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale recounts confronting scenes
NZ Herald — February 5, 2026

The former rower describes the days after the disaster as the hardest of his life.

Tauranga mayor says it's unlikely Mt Maunganui landslide area will remain a campsite
RNZ — February 5, 2026

Mahé Drysdale said any decisions on the future of the land surrounding the landslide will require conversations with iwi, communities, and people closely affected by the tragedy.

Mayor says area around Mount Maunganui to open when safe
RNZ — February 2, 2026

Police have completed recovery work at the landslide, and Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said he was hopeful streets could be reopened in a number of days.

Tauranga mayor defends council landslide inquiry as residents fear ‘whitewash’
Stuff — January 30, 2026

Mahé Drysdale says Tauranga City Council’s inquiry will provide answers faster than the Government’s.

Live: Criminal liability to be probed after Mount Maunganui landslip, recovery crews hope for sun
RNZ — January 27, 2026

Mahé Drysdale says the council-led review will "put all the information out in one place."

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This database currently contains data from the 2025 local government eleciton, and general elections in 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014. It is being backfilled with older data. Please get in touch if you want to help.