Full Breakdown
Mayor Mahé Drysdale’s Council Address Listing Sparks Debate Over Director Address Disclosure in New Zealand
5/12/2026, 11:05:17 PM
Core Event: Council Headquarters Used on Companies Register
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale listed the council’s headquarters at 90 Devonport Rd as his residential address on the public Companies Register for several personal directorships. The Companies Office flagged the entry as non-compliant with the Companies Act 1993, which requires directors to provide a residential address. MBIE’s national manager, Bolen Ng, confirmed that the Office would contact Drysdale to advise on his obligations and work toward compliance.
Background & Context: Address Disclosure Laws and Safety Concerns
When the Companies Act was enacted in 1993, the residential-address requirement was intended to promote transparency and confidence in business dealings. Over the past three decades, the rise of online databases has made personal addresses easily searchable, prompting safety concerns for public figures. In 2022, the law was amended to require candidates to publish their residential address on electoral campaign advertisements. The Remuneration Authority now offers an allowance of up to $4,500 for a home security system and $1,000 annual maintenance for elected members.
Key Figures & Groups
- Mahé Drysdale – Mayor of Tauranga, former Olympic rower, and director of multiple private companies.
- Bolen Ng – National manager, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) Companies Office.
- Scott Necklen – Chief executive, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ).
- Anastasiya Gamble – Corporate partner, Simpson Grierson, specialist in corporate governance.
- LGNZ – Represents council mayors, chairs and chief executives; monitors member safety.
Data & Statistics
- LGNZ poll: ? 66 % of surveyed elected officials experienced aggressive or abusive online behaviour; 74 % faced similar conduct in-person.
- Remuneration Authority allowance: $4,500 for security system installation, $1,000 annual maintenance.
- Companies Office penalties for false address statements: up to $200,000 fine or imprisonment (maximum 3 years).
Official Statements & Responses
Bolen Ng stressed that “the accuracy of director information is fundamental to transparency, accountability, and the ability to contact directors where needed.” He added that the Companies Office adopts an education-first approach, intervening only when non-compliance is intentional or ongoing. The Office is preparing to enforce the forthcoming Companies (Address Information) Amendment Act 2025, which will permit directors to apply for a single approved alternative address—such as a lawyer’s or accountant’s office—when they can demonstrate a risk of physical or mental harm.
Scott Necklen noted LGNZ’s advocacy for safety measures, encouraging elected members who are company directors to list an alternative address where safety concerns exist.
Criticism & Opposition
Anastasiya Gamble argued that the 2025 amendment “only gives you very limited grounds on which the address can be withheld” and that the “bar is really high” for directors to qualify for an alternative address. She questioned whether the continued public listing of residential addresses remains sensible in the digital age and suggested broader options, such as using a professional adviser’s address, should be considered.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Companies Office does not track how frequently directors use incorrect addresses, leaving the prevalence of the issue unclear. Drysdale declined to confirm whether he has received threats or intends to apply for the new safety-address provision, creating a gap in understanding his personal risk assessment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The accuracy of director information is fundamental to transparency, accountability, and the ability to contact directors where needed,” — Bolen Ng, MBIE national manager, Companies Office
- “Last year, an LGNZ poll of council mayors, chairs and chief executives showed that nearly two-thirds had faced aggressive and abusive behaviour online; nearly three quarters (74%) had experienced this behaviour during public, in-person meetings.” — Scott Necklen, LGNZ chief executive
- “While the transparency rationale obviously made sense in the context of the 1993 act, these days, it’s just too easily accessible and presents too many risks.” — Anastasiya Gamble, Simpson Grierson corporate partner
- “Given incidents around the country that have highlighted the risks associated with holding public office, to protect my family home address in Tauranga from being made public, I used my office address of 90 Devonport Rd, where I can be contacted.” — Mahé Drysdale, Mayor of Tauranga
What’s Next: Legislative Change and Compliance Process
The Companies (Address Information) Amendment Act 2025 is slated to take effect by 18 November 2025. Directors will be able to submit a sworn statutory declaration that public disclosure of their residential address would likely cause physical or mental harm. Only one approved alternative address may be used across all companies, and false declarations carry penalties of up to 3 years’ imprisonment. The Companies Office will contact Drysdale to confirm compliance and advise on the application process under the new regime.
