Mahé Drysdale

Mahé Drysdale is a New Zealand politician and retired professional rower who currently serves as the Mayor of Tauranga. Before entering politics, he achieved international acclaim as a two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion in the single sculls. He was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009 for his services to rowing. Since his election as mayor in July 2024, he has focused on local governance, including navigating complex public health policy decisions such as the city's water fluoridation mandate.