Paul Matheson

Who is Paul Matheson?

Paul Kenneth Matheson, QSO JP, was Mayor of Nelson, New Zealand from 1998 to 2007. He was elected as a City councillor in 2010. Matheson's wife, Juliana, died of cancer just six weeks before he took office as Mayor and since that time he has been a fundraiser for the Nelson Cancer Society's Daffodil Day appeal. He has three adult children.

President of the New Zealand Young Nationals from 1972-1973. CEO of Tourism Nelson prior to being elected Mayor in 1998.

In 1998 Matheson defeated Philip Woollaston to become Mayor. He did not stand in 2007 due to a period of ill health, but stood in 2010 for Council and the District Health Board.

Nelson MP Nick Smith's campaign manager for 2011 General Election, taking over from Bill Dahlberg. Matheson is also Top of the South Regional Advisor for the New Zealand Community Trust.

Matheson was once a National Party candidate for the Sydenham electorate, and Chairman of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs in New Zealand. He has also assisted in various community and sports organisations, including Nelson Cricket.