The Dunedin mayoral election held on 21 July 1865 was the inaugural mayoral election in Dunedin, New Zealand.
William Mason was successful, with James Paterson coming second.
Edward Cargill acted as returning officer.
Polling was undertaken in four wards: South, High, Bell, and Leith.
[1] A secret ballot based on the first-past-the-post voting system was used in Dunedin,[1] in contrast to Christchurch[2] and Wellington, where mayors were chosen by the city councillors amongst themselves until 1875.