Hugo Friedlander (born Friedländer, c. January 1850 – 1 October 1928) was a New Zealand businessman, local politician, and horse breeder from Ashburton.

[3] At first, Friedlander lived in Orari working for Joseph Mendelson, riding into Ashburton every morning for an 8 am arrival (a distance of about 45 kilometres or 28 miles).

[4] So that his children could learn Hebrew, he arranged for the minister of the Beth El Synagogue in Christchurch to come to Ashburton once a week to give tuition.

[1] He first contested the role in November 1879, when he narrowly defeated Joseph Ivess by 91 votes to 84;[6] Friedlander was installed on 17 December.

[17] The voting date shifted during his next term from November to April, and Friedlander did not contest the mayoral election.