Early life and career McDouall was born in Wanganui to Shirley (née Sanson) and Gerald McDouall and attended
Wanganui Collegiate School. He studied law and arts at the
University of Otago. McDouall was a winner on the gameshow
Sale of the Century and was the champion of
TVNZ's Mastermind programme in 1990, collectively winning nearly $100,000 worth in prizes. His winning specialist subject was
The Life & Works of David Bowie. He played both soccer, cricket and represented Whanganui in roller hockey. He then lived abroad in England, Sweden and Russia before returning to Wanganui in 2001. He then took up work as a barrister and solicitor and worked in corporate, family, and community law. He is the author of four published books. McDouall was returned to the mayoralty in 2019 unopposed. He lost the 2022 mayoral to first time candidate Andrew Tripe. ==Personal life==