thumb|right|John McDonald
John McDonald (13 September 1865 – 21 March 1945) was a New Zealand politician. He served as mayor of Dunedin from 1908 to 1909, the first New Zealand-born person to hold the office.
Early life and family
Born in Auckland on 13 September 1865, McDonald was the son of Colin and Christina McDonald. He was educated in Masterton and Wellington, before living in Timaru. The couple did not have children. He also represented the DCC on the Charitable Aid Board, the boards of governors of the Otago Boys' and Otago Girls' High Schools, and the Otago Hospital Board. At the 1931 general election, he finished third in the Dunedin West electorate as an independent Liberal candidate.
Other activities
Noted for his keen interest in sports, McDonald was a founding member of the Otago Cycling Club, and served as president of the Alhambra Rugby Football Club and the St Clair Surf Lifesaving Club. His wife, Maggie McDonald, regarded as one of the pioneers of croquet in Otago and who served a term as vice-president of the New Zealand Croquet Council, died in 1950.