The mayor of Whangārei is the elected head of local government in the Whangārei District of New Zealand's North Island; one of 67 mayors in the country. The principle town of the district (and its namesake) is Whangārei. The mayor presides over the Whangārei District Council and is directly elected using the first-past-the-post method. The position has existed since 27 October 1896, when the Whangarei Borough Council was constituted. Later the mayor presided over Whangarei City Council. The position has existed in its present form since 1 November 1989, following the amalgamation of Whangarei County Council, Whangarei City Council and Hikurangi Town Board. The mayor is supported by a deputy mayor.