A war of words has erupted between Olympic champion Mahé Drysdale and his uncle Doug Owens as both vie to become mayor of Tauranga.

Owens says in his opinion Drysdale is a “patsy pawn” for the Urban Task Force – a local property group he claims is trying to “take over” Tauranga City Council – and questions his nephew’s mayoral qualifications in comments to the Bay of Plenty Times. They came after Owens posted a public video making similar claims.

Drysdale responded to the video, saying in his view, his uncle is claiming a “vast conspiracy” in a “tragic attempt to become relevant”. Drysdale says he has never been an UTF member — “unlike Uncle Doug”.

He has since deleted the relevancy comment, telling the Bay of Plenty Times he wants a positive campaign, will not respond to “negative and destructive politics”, and has the “dignity, passion and skills” to be mayor.

UTF chairman, developer Scott Adams, says Drysdale’s campaign is independent and Owens’ “take over” comment is “fundamentally wrong”.

Businessman Owens is a former regional councillor and son of former Tauranga Mayor, the late Sir Bob Owens, - Drysdale’s grandfather.

They are among 15 candidates for the Tauranga mayoralty in the city’s first election since 2019.

A mayor and nine councillors will be elected on July 20 to replace the four-person commission appointed by the Government in February 2021 after the elected council was sacked.

Owens’ claims

In Owens’ video published on social media on Friday, he claimed that “allegedly it is becoming apparent” UTF – a group representing property sector professionals – the council and commission were “working together”.

Owens says he was speaking out after commission chairwoman Anne Tolley commented about returning candidates on TVNZ’s Q&A programme that she would not vote for the “old guys … putting their hands up again”.

Owens, who has previously run for mayor, says in his view Tolley’s comments “crossed the line” and she has “interfere[d] with the democratic process”.

Owens claims: “Scott [Adams] invited Mahé to stand as their mayoral candidate on the ticket ‘Love Tauranga’. I have spoken to Scott and he has confirmed exactly that and my comment at the time was: “Well boys, this looks a bit like poacher becomes gamekeeper.”

Owens says it appears to him UTF’s intention is “about gaining direct influence over the council and our democracy”.

He claims: “Scott’s comment to me was that nobody will know, but I do. And now I am confirming the facts to you the ratepayer, the public and the community.”

Owens tells the Bay of Plenty Times this week he is a “lapsed founding member” of UTF but doens't support what he describea as its “alleged attempt to take over the council”.

He says what he views as his nephew’s “unwise alliance” with the group “in spite of my own candidacy, is galling to say the least”.

Tauranga mayoral candidate Doug Owens. Photo / Alex Cairns.

In his opinion: “Mahé has no real business or political experience and is serving as a patsy pawn to a self-interested group first, not the community.”

“This in my view would be a blow to democracy, in Tauranga, if it were to succeed. If I am elected mayor the UTF would be treated fairly, equitably, creatively and embraced as any local organisation, business or otherwise, should be.”

Drysdale responds

Drysdale responded to Owen’s video on his social media on Saturday saying he's “proud to be standing for the mayoralty on a positive platform”.

“I am saddened that [in my view] my uncle wants to allege a vast conspiracy, as a rather tragic attempt to become relevant,” he initially wrote. Drysdale tells the Bay of Plenty Times this week he has since edited his post as he “would prefer to be more positive”.

His post also claimed Owens’ comments were an attempt to “detract” from the positive reception to Drysdale’s campaign.

He says he spoke at the UTF launch of the Love Tauranga “brand” in May because he shares a number of its views about Tauranga’s positive future.

Drysdale says UTF has not contributed to his election campaign and he has “no links or conflicts” with the commissioners or council.

“I am running independently and there is no ‘love Tauranga ticket’.”

Cambridge resident Drysdale, who grew up in Tauranga and plans to move back at the end of the school year if elected, says in his post Adams is one of his many friends in Tauranga.

Tauranga mayoral candidate Mahé Drysdale. Photo / Alex Cairns.

Drysdale says if elected mayor he will work with anyone who wants Tauranga to succeed, “disclose conflicts of interest” and treat all citizens fairly.

In response to comments Owens made to the Bay of Plenty Times, Drysdale says voters want “positivity, teamwork and integrity” from their mayor.

”I won’t respond to negative and destructive politics because that era has now ended in Tauranga.”

He believes he has the “dignity, passion and skills” to be mayor and hopes people recognise his core values are “honesty, integrity, accountability and transparency”.

“While I am not a career politician, I have wide experience, track record of success and financial qualifications.”

He says he will work with any individual or group wanting Tauranga to succeed but doesn't condone personal attacks and will not “accept dysfunction”.

“A good mayor should listen to all and act in the best interests of the city but not favour any group.

“I have never been a member of, nor been, financially supported by the UTF.”

Drysdale says his campaign is focused on working collaboratively to turn Tauranga into New Zealand’s best small city.

The Bay of Plenty Times asked Drysdale in May about his link to Love Tauranga and who approached him about running for mayor.

He says he had talked to Love Tauranga about “how we need to do a better job of promoting” Tauranga and agreed “we should love our city”. He would not say who approached him to “respect their confidence”.

At the time a Love Tauranga spokeswoman said Drysdale’s campaign was independent of UTF.

What Adams, Tolley, council say

Adams says, in his view, Owens’ allegations in the video look like an attempt to gain votes.

“I love my city. I want the best possible future-focussed leadership group for Tauranga.”

Scott Adams at Panorama Towers on Hamilton St in Tauranga. Photo / Alex Cairns.

Responding to Owens’ latest comments, he says: “Mahé is running independently of anyone, he’s his own man and the suggestion that the Urban Task Force is trying to take over Tauranga City Council is fundamentally wrong.”

Tolley says she stands by her comments to Q&A and they are an “honest expression of opinion” and she doesn't believe they crossed any line.

“The commissioners have no involvement with the Urban Task Force. We have not and will not express support for any candidates in the election.

“What we have done is encourage as many people as possible to stand for election and urged voters to weigh up what they want for their city and vote for the mayoral and ward candidates they feel will best deliver on their priorities.”

Tauranga City Council commission chairwoman Anne Tolley. Photo / Alex Cairns.

The council’s chief executive Marty Grenfell was on leave. Acting chief executive Barbara Dempsey says the council “does not get involved in, or comment on, the views of any election candidate”.

-Bay of Plenty Times.

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