July 20, 2024 • 13 mins
Tauranga has elected Mahé Drysdale as their new mayor. He joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss his initial plans for the city.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
You're listening to the Weekend Collective podcast from News Talk
Sedbster Workings.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Is your trucks did fun house?
Speaker 3 (00:20):
There's a word, I'm They're sure you're last and welcome
back to the Weekend Collective. Isn't it funny? Somebody said,
why are you so anti Trump? I didn't think. I
asked a single question that was Andy Trump. I'm anti
both candidates. I think that they knew the US politics
is Oh gosh, it's in a sorry state anyway, now
moving on anyway. Look, actually I met my next politics
(00:42):
guest at a wedding quite a few years ago, and
it was at a time when perhaps nobody really knew
who he was, or at least it was before I
knew who he was. And during the course of the
conversation I learned that he was quite keen on rowing.
I said, oh, do you know the ever Swindell's twins
at Swindeal Twins? And he goes, yes, I know them
quite well. And I asked him if he was serious
(01:03):
about rowing. He said yes, I'm I'm quite serious. I'm
into the single skulls. I said, oh, what's the last
competition you did? He said, I've just got back from
the World Championships. I said, I how'd you go? He says,
I came first? And I go, oh, so you're a
world champion. He goes yeah, And I asked him where's
your weetpicks at? Anyway, now he is mayor of he's
about to be set to be mayor of Taranga, and
(01:25):
of course his name is Mahi Drysdale. Good afternoon, congratulations mahe.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Oh good and yeah, thanks for having me on.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Yeah. Sorry, you probably don't remember that meeting, but I do,
just because I had. It took me a long time
to drag out that you were quite a good rower
Mark and Cherry's wedding, just in case you were curious
where it was.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Oh yeah, yeah, yep, ye.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Hey it is. Indeed, hey look on that on that point,
and it's so much a cynical question, but just reality.
Could you have won the mayoralty if it went for
the fame that your rowing has earned you over the years.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yes, a good question. You know, I don't actually know
the answer to that. I guess, you know, through what
I've done and and that success I think gives a
lot of trust to people that I know how to
succeed and you know, and and probably you know that
they hopefully believe what what I've been saying. So you know,
(02:26):
that's that's very much a good start. But you know,
now I've got to go and go improve it and
and show that I can deliver, you know, on what
I've promised to do.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Yeah, I mean, that's an interesting question, I guess. But
of course you're the sum of all your parts, So
I guess, what are other qualities do you have that
are going to make you a good mayor?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
I think you know, and this is you know, I
guess what sport does for you, right? It teaches you
how to succeed. And so that's that's what I bring
to the table. And you know, I think it's it's
reasonably simple and the fact that you know, it's about
having a vision, it's about putting a plan and play
and working really hard to achieve it. So I believe
(03:09):
that's universal across anything you want to do. Is that's
that's the keys to it. And that's what I'll you know,
I've learned throughout my life and we'll bring to this job.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Why did you want the job? And when did you
make the decision that you were going to have a
crack at it.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Yeah, a good question and one of the first questions
I get asked. And I've always had an interest in politics,
but i haven't found a job where I thought I
can make a really positive change. And you know this,
this is coming off off commissioners, so you get to
start with blank canvas. And you know, I thought, this
is this is my opportunity to go and prove to
(03:47):
myself as well as everyone else, you know, how how
local body politics can be done. And I'm really excited
about the team that's been delivered, you know, to the
council table. I think we've got a really good, good
team there, really good range of skills, and you know,
I'm really looking forward to to getting stuck in and
(04:09):
and you know, I've come from a place I guess
where you know, I like to find a way to
do things rather than say, you know, that can't be done.
And that's that's what I hope to deliver to the
people of tott Longa, that we we actually get out
and start delivering on on things that have been planned
and promised for years.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
How well do you know the other counselors.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Well, I knew none of them before this this process.
So you know, throughout the campaign, we've been to various
events together. I've sat down off a number of the
candidates one on one. So you know, that's that's the
first first order of businesses is getting to know them better,
understanding what drives them, where their skills lie. And as
(04:56):
we sort of form those those committees and you know,
choose a deputy there, et cetera on council.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Any trouble makers, Yeah, I.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Don't think so. You know, I think I'm happy with
every single one of them. They'll bring a range of
views and experience and you know, it's it's a really
nice mix. I think.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
How's the family dynamic given you you're beating Uncle Doug?
Is that is that a tricky time?
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Yeah? It was, you know, it was a few tricky times.
But you know, I ran because I felt I offered
a very different perspective and and and you know how
how we wanted to do things. And obviously democracy has
chosen the way that people want it done. And hopefully,
you know, as I say, I'm looking forward to getting
(05:47):
out working hard and trying to deliver on that.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Do you think the commissioner's situation went on for too long?
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Oh, it's that's a hard, hard one to answer, but
you know, I would say I very much believe in
democracy and I was surprised, you know that that I
guess the people weren't trusted to elect the council, you know,
in twenty twenty two. But you know, it is what
it is, and we're now out of cycle. We've got
(06:16):
a term, which you know, that was part of the
thing that excited me as we've got a real mandate
and time to actually you get some get some stuff done.
So that's what I'm looking forward to.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
We often have poor turnouts in New Zealand, and the
telling is, no, I was surprised that the turnout was
what was it about thirty percent or something, which is
what's going on with that? People just got people us
got used to the commissioners or are they disengaged. What's
your take on the low turnout?
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah, I think it's it's quite disappointing after you know,
having your first time in four years to have a say,
and you know, there's a lot of people that you know,
have been been advocating for democracy and then you know,
basically we don't even have half half the people turn
out to vote, So you know, that's disappointing. I think
(07:07):
there's a couple of reasons. I think, you know, people
don't feel engaged by local politics, so they don't sort
of feel like they can make a difference. I think,
you know, postal voting is you know, I'd love to
see some you know, step up to the modern era
and be able to do it online. And you know
STV I think confuses a lot of people how it
(07:29):
all works. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Well, okay, what's the biggest challenge or the biggest challenges
or can I say that early challenges facing you as
at your start of your mayoralty.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Yeah, I think well, I think the number one priority
for me is to get that team together and you know,
make sure we're collaborating to work together to solve the issues.
But you know, we've got we've got traffic and transport issues.
You know, we've been a very fast growing city. We've
under invested in infrastructure, and you know now that we're
(08:04):
sort of got down the road where the cans been
cacked and we've got to pick it up and you know,
not kick it again and find a way to deal
with all that that. I guess spending that needs to
happen to keep up and and try to catch up
to you know, where this this fast growing city's got to.
So there's lots of challenges, but you know, as I say,
(08:27):
I'm really excited about the challenge and getting that team
together to work to solve it.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
I guess the relationship with your counselors is one thing,
but of course one of the key relationships you probably
have is the CEO of the council. Have you had
any chats with the current CEO or what's what where,
where's the state of play there?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Yeah, I've just had about five hours with him this morning,
so yeah, it was it was great just to you know,
just just to get get to grips with with the
issues and and you know, start that that sort of relationship.
You know, as I say, I want that team of
ten around the table. We've got to work as a
team with the staff. We've got to work with a
(09:07):
team for community and with central government. So you know,
there's lots of relationships to form in the in the
coming weeks.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
I guess what's your main goal. You've got four years
to make an impact. What's what's your sort of performance
target for for you and the council.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I think overall. You know how I would judge tess
is is if in four years time, todd Oer is
a better place than it is right now. And that's
you know that people aren't aren't wondering about things that
annoy them, They're not getting stuck in as much Trafford.
We've got good public transport options. You know. That's it's
(09:46):
just a better liveable city. And that's really I think
the the key to success here.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
I guess you'd want to prove and Tolly wrong, isn't
it because she recommended it? Didn't she come out and
say she rethinks that commissioners are the answer sort of
full stop around the country.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Yeah, she's views around that, and you know, I can
kind of see where she's coming from, I guess, because
it's it's kind of a strange system where you know,
people vote, you don't necessarily get the right skills you
sort of make on the council. But in saying that,
as I say, I think the voters have done very
well here and telling it that they've they've delivered a
(10:28):
good team.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Yeah we're just losing you mahe, I don't know if
you're still there, but just lucky last year you looking
forward to the Olympics, thinking, I guess you're still keeping
a keeping eye what's going on with our sports people.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Yeah. Absolutely, it's going to be a very busy week
as we sort of build up to the Olympics and
you know, follow our great Kiwi athletes. Also trying to
put a team together to run this council. But no
clean times and I think we'll do very well in Paris.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Excellent. Hey, I really appreciate your time this afternoon and
a five hour meeting with the with the CEO. Good
work on a Sunday, Well done, great start. Oh god, okays,
thanks very much. That's Marhu Drysdale. Actually seriously, five hour
meeting Okay, unless he's just finished it now. He started
that at ten, but I guess he probably Well, you know,
(11:20):
I think that's one of the things about people like
Marhi Drysdale and athletes, and that was a tough question
to ask him in a way, how your fame gets there?
But you know what, you owe some of all your parts,
and he's set goals and he achieved them as an athlete.
He's also don't forget he's been a passionate advocate for
athletes as well. In his times as one of our
(11:41):
prominent sports people. So you know, I don't know what
I want to hear your reaction to you, And I
know that local body politics and might be Tarana might
not be your neck of the woods. But you can
remember how we got invested in the issues around the
Gore mayoralty and the classes with the CEO, and so
we do care about We do care about various necks
of the wood in New Zealand, whether it be our
(12:05):
hatch or not. I think we're pretty interested in how
the rest of New Zealand's doing. So what I want
to hear your calls and do you think Marhi Drysdale
is going to you know, are you filled with confidence
having listened to that interview, that he's going to get
stuck in and do a great job. Because my gut
reaction is yeah, actually yes, I am optimistic for it.
But on the bigger question around that is have we
(12:27):
got a major problem with people just not engaged with
local body politics. I think the turnout in Tong was
around the thirty percent mark, which is bloody awful. Least
the least the people well done for you if you
turned up and you put your vote in but have
we got a problem with engagement on that? And if
you like, you can also offer your take on just
(12:49):
your gambles on how long it's going to be until
Joe Biden steps down or is he going to do
the full distance? In the state of US politics in general,
A few things to talk about. We'll take your cause
from now till the end of the hour. It's twenty
two minutes to four news Talks. He'd be.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
For more from the weekend collective. Listen live to News
Talk Zedbe weekends from three pm, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Collective podcast from News Talk
Sedbster Workings.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Is your trucks did fun house?
Speaker 3 (00:20):
There's a word, I'm They're sure you're last and welcome
back to the Weekend Collective. Isn't it funny? Somebody said,
why are you so anti Trump? I didn't think. I
asked a single question that was Andy Trump. I'm anti
both candidates. I think that they knew the US politics
is Oh gosh, it's in a sorry state anyway, now
moving on anyway. Look, actually I met my next politics
(00:42):
guest at a wedding quite a few years ago, and
it was at a time when perhaps nobody really knew
who he was, or at least it was before I
knew who he was. And during the course of the
conversation I learned that he was quite keen on rowing.
I said, oh, do you know the ever Swindell's twins
at Swindeal Twins? And he goes, yes, I know them
quite well. And I asked him if he was serious
(01:03):
about rowing. He said yes, I'm I'm quite serious. I'm
into the single skulls. I said, oh, what's the last
competition you did? He said, I've just got back from
the World Championships. I said, I how'd you go? He says,
I came first? And I go, oh, so you're a
world champion. He goes yeah, And I asked him where's
your weetpicks at? Anyway, now he is mayor of he's
about to be set to be mayor of Taranga, and
(01:25):
of course his name is Mahi Drysdale. Good afternoon, congratulations mahe.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Oh good and yeah, thanks for having me on.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Yeah. Sorry, you probably don't remember that meeting, but I do,
just because I had. It took me a long time
to drag out that you were quite a good rower
Mark and Cherry's wedding, just in case you were curious
where it was.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Oh yeah, yeah, yep, ye.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Hey it is. Indeed, hey look on that on that point,
and it's so much a cynical question, but just reality.
Could you have won the mayoralty if it went for
the fame that your rowing has earned you over the years.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yes, a good question. You know, I don't actually know
the answer to that. I guess, you know, through what
I've done and and that success I think gives a
lot of trust to people that I know how to
succeed and you know, and and probably you know that
they hopefully believe what what I've been saying. So you know,
(02:26):
that's that's very much a good start. But you know,
now I've got to go and go improve it and
and show that I can deliver, you know, on what
I've promised to do.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Yeah, I mean, that's an interesting question, I guess. But
of course you're the sum of all your parts, So
I guess, what are other qualities do you have that
are going to make you a good mayor?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
I think you know, and this is you know, I
guess what sport does for you, right? It teaches you
how to succeed. And so that's that's what I bring
to the table. And you know, I think it's it's
reasonably simple and the fact that you know, it's about
having a vision, it's about putting a plan and play
and working really hard to achieve it. So I believe
(03:09):
that's universal across anything you want to do. Is that's
that's the keys to it. And that's what I'll you know,
I've learned throughout my life and we'll bring to this job.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Why did you want the job? And when did you
make the decision that you were going to have a
crack at it.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Yeah, a good question and one of the first questions
I get asked. And I've always had an interest in politics,
but i haven't found a job where I thought I
can make a really positive change. And you know this,
this is coming off off commissioners, so you get to
start with blank canvas. And you know, I thought, this
is this is my opportunity to go and prove to
(03:47):
myself as well as everyone else, you know, how how
local body politics can be done. And I'm really excited
about the team that's been delivered, you know, to the
council table. I think we've got a really good, good
team there, really good range of skills, and you know,
I'm really looking forward to to getting stuck in and
(04:09):
and you know, I've come from a place I guess
where you know, I like to find a way to
do things rather than say, you know, that can't be done.
And that's that's what I hope to deliver to the
people of tott Longa, that we we actually get out
and start delivering on on things that have been planned
and promised for years.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
How well do you know the other counselors.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Well, I knew none of them before this this process.
So you know, throughout the campaign, we've been to various
events together. I've sat down off a number of the
candidates one on one. So you know, that's that's the
first first order of businesses is getting to know them better,
understanding what drives them, where their skills lie. And as
(04:56):
we sort of form those those committees and you know,
choose a deputy there, et cetera on council.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Any trouble makers, Yeah, I.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Don't think so. You know, I think I'm happy with
every single one of them. They'll bring a range of
views and experience and you know, it's it's a really
nice mix. I think.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
How's the family dynamic given you you're beating Uncle Doug?
Is that is that a tricky time?
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Yeah? It was, you know, it was a few tricky times.
But you know, I ran because I felt I offered
a very different perspective and and and you know how
how we wanted to do things. And obviously democracy has
chosen the way that people want it done. And hopefully,
you know, as I say, I'm looking forward to getting
(05:47):
out working hard and trying to deliver on that.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Do you think the commissioner's situation went on for too long?
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Oh, it's that's a hard, hard one to answer, but
you know, I would say I very much believe in
democracy and I was surprised, you know that that I
guess the people weren't trusted to elect the council, you know,
in twenty twenty two. But you know, it is what
it is, and we're now out of cycle. We've got
(06:16):
a term, which you know, that was part of the
thing that excited me as we've got a real mandate
and time to actually you get some get some stuff done.
So that's what I'm looking forward to.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
We often have poor turnouts in New Zealand, and the
telling is, no, I was surprised that the turnout was
what was it about thirty percent or something, which is
what's going on with that? People just got people us
got used to the commissioners or are they disengaged. What's
your take on the low turnout?
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah, I think it's it's quite disappointing after you know,
having your first time in four years to have a say,
and you know, there's a lot of people that you know,
have been been advocating for democracy and then you know,
basically we don't even have half half the people turn
out to vote, So you know, that's disappointing. I think
(07:07):
there's a couple of reasons. I think, you know, people
don't feel engaged by local politics, so they don't sort
of feel like they can make a difference. I think,
you know, postal voting is you know, I'd love to
see some you know, step up to the modern era
and be able to do it online. And you know
STV I think confuses a lot of people how it
(07:29):
all works. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Well, okay, what's the biggest challenge or the biggest challenges
or can I say that early challenges facing you as
at your start of your mayoralty.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Yeah, I think well, I think the number one priority
for me is to get that team together and you know,
make sure we're collaborating to work together to solve the issues.
But you know, we've got we've got traffic and transport issues.
You know, we've been a very fast growing city. We've
under invested in infrastructure, and you know now that we're
(08:04):
sort of got down the road where the cans been
cacked and we've got to pick it up and you know,
not kick it again and find a way to deal
with all that that. I guess spending that needs to
happen to keep up and and try to catch up
to you know, where this this fast growing city's got to.
So there's lots of challenges, but you know, as I say,
(08:27):
I'm really excited about the challenge and getting that team
together to work to solve it.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
I guess the relationship with your counselors is one thing,
but of course one of the key relationships you probably
have is the CEO of the council. Have you had
any chats with the current CEO or what's what where,
where's the state of play there?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Yeah, I've just had about five hours with him this morning,
so yeah, it was it was great just to you know,
just just to get get to grips with with the
issues and and you know, start that that sort of relationship.
You know, as I say, I want that team of
ten around the table. We've got to work as a
team with the staff. We've got to work with a
(09:07):
team for community and with central government. So you know,
there's lots of relationships to form in the in the
coming weeks.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
I guess what's your main goal. You've got four years
to make an impact. What's what's your sort of performance
target for for you and the council.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I think overall. You know how I would judge tess
is is if in four years time, todd Oer is
a better place than it is right now. And that's
you know that people aren't aren't wondering about things that
annoy them, They're not getting stuck in as much Trafford.
We've got good public transport options. You know. That's it's
(09:46):
just a better liveable city. And that's really I think
the the key to success here.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
I guess you'd want to prove and Tolly wrong, isn't
it because she recommended it? Didn't she come out and
say she rethinks that commissioners are the answer sort of
full stop around the country.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Yeah, she's views around that, and you know, I can
kind of see where she's coming from, I guess, because
it's it's kind of a strange system where you know,
people vote, you don't necessarily get the right skills you
sort of make on the council. But in saying that,
as I say, I think the voters have done very
well here and telling it that they've they've delivered a
(10:28):
good team.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Yeah we're just losing you mahe, I don't know if
you're still there, but just lucky last year you looking
forward to the Olympics, thinking, I guess you're still keeping
a keeping eye what's going on with our sports people.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Yeah. Absolutely, it's going to be a very busy week
as we sort of build up to the Olympics and
you know, follow our great Kiwi athletes. Also trying to
put a team together to run this council. But no
clean times and I think we'll do very well in Paris.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Excellent. Hey, I really appreciate your time this afternoon and
a five hour meeting with the with the CEO. Good
work on a Sunday, Well done, great start. Oh god, okays,
thanks very much. That's Marhu Drysdale. Actually seriously, five hour
meeting Okay, unless he's just finished it now. He started
that at ten, but I guess he probably Well, you know,
(11:20):
I think that's one of the things about people like
Marhi Drysdale and athletes, and that was a tough question
to ask him in a way, how your fame gets there?
But you know what, you owe some of all your parts,
and he's set goals and he achieved them as an athlete.
He's also don't forget he's been a passionate advocate for
athletes as well. In his times as one of our
(11:41):
prominent sports people. So you know, I don't know what
I want to hear your reaction to you, And I
know that local body politics and might be Tarana might
not be your neck of the woods. But you can
remember how we got invested in the issues around the
Gore mayoralty and the classes with the CEO, and so
we do care about We do care about various necks
of the wood in New Zealand, whether it be our
(12:05):
hatch or not. I think we're pretty interested in how
the rest of New Zealand's doing. So what I want
to hear your calls and do you think Marhi Drysdale
is going to you know, are you filled with confidence
having listened to that interview, that he's going to get
stuck in and do a great job. Because my gut
reaction is yeah, actually yes, I am optimistic for it.
But on the bigger question around that is have we
(12:27):
got a major problem with people just not engaged with
local body politics. I think the turnout in Tong was
around the thirty percent mark, which is bloody awful. Least
the least the people well done for you if you
turned up and you put your vote in but have
we got a problem with engagement on that? And if
you like, you can also offer your take on just
(12:49):
your gambles on how long it's going to be until
Joe Biden steps down or is he going to do
the full distance? In the state of US politics in general,
A few things to talk about. We'll take your cause
from now till the end of the hour. It's twenty
two minutes to four news Talks. He'd be.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
For more from the weekend collective. Listen live to News
Talk Zedbe weekends from three pm, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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