Full Breakdown
Tauranga Mayor Defends $62,000 Council-Provided Electric Vehicle Amid Ratepayer Scrutiny
4/27/2026, 1:57:18 AM
Council Car for Mayor Mahé Drysdale
Tauranga City Council provided Mayor Mahé Drysdale with a Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited for official duties. The vehicle cost $50,330.43 before GST; insurance, paint protection and other pre-GST expenses added about $3,600, bringing the total to $62,000 including GST.
Background & Context
The Remuneration Authority allows councils to supply a mayoral car, capping purchases at $55,000 for petrol or diesel models and $68,500 for electric or hybrid vehicles, inclusive of GST and on-road costs. Former mayors Stuart Crosby, Greg Brownless and Tenby Powell each declined a council car, opting for allowances or private use.
Data & Statistics
Mayor Drysdale’s salary is close to $200,000. Ratepayers have faced a 35.98 % increase over three years. The council’s EV cost $62,000, within the $68,500 electric-vehicle cap. The vehicle is charged at the council’s Devonport Rd EV station.
Official Statements & Responses
The council says the EV is provided solely for work-related travel—visits to council facilities, regional and national meetings, community groups and civic events—and is more cost-effective than reimbursing mileage for a private car. The council cites compliance with the Remuneration Authority’s allowance.
Criticism & Opposition
Taxpayers’ Union investigations coordinator Rhys Hurley questioned the $62,000 expense amid a 35.98 % rate hike, arguing the issue is not the mayor’s need but whether ratepayers should bear the cost. He noted the contrast with former mayor Stuart Crosby, who gave up the council car to save money. Former mayor Greg Brownless added that even a salary deduction would have increased council spending.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Even having a vehicle is a stark contrast to former Mayor Stuart Crosby, who chose to give up the mayoral car to save ratepayer money.” — Rhys Hurley
- “I would do the same today.” — Stuart Crosby, former mayor
- “Back then, if you opted for a mayoral car, there was a small deduction from your salary, but it still would have cost the council more.” — Greg Brownless, former mayor
- “As an electric vehicle, it is very cheap to run and overall represents good value for money compared with using my private car and claiming mileage for when on council business.” — Mahé Drysdale, mayor
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The council asserts the vehicle is used only for official duties, while critics point to the mayor’s private car and call for an independent audit of actual usage. No audit findings are referenced in the sources.
