James Gore was a 19th-century Member of Parliament from the Otago region of New Zealand, and Mayor of Dunedin. Gore was born in Liverpool. In 1852 he arrived in Victoria and with his father entered into government contracts for roads and bridges. About 1861 he came to Otago and for some years did similar work and building. He was chairman of the first licensing committee in High ward, a member of the hospital and charitable aid board and of the drainage board. Gore was grandmaster of freemasons.