About Mayor Tory Whanau
Tory is Pōneke’s first wahine Māori mayor.
Originally from Pātea in South Taranaki, Tory is of Pakakohi and Ngā Ruahine descent. She has worked in marketing, as a film censor, and as a chief of staff for the Green Party during their time in Government.
Tory was elected on a platform of change. More affordable housing, better public transport and more opportunities for walking and cycling are central to her vision of a city that’s future-focused and inclusive. She is working to strengthen relationships with mana whenua and celebrate the diversity of our communities.
Behind the scenes she is a strong advocate for our hospitality scene and helping business owners bring the vibe back to our inner city. That means looking after our artists, innovators and creatives as well. They are a key part of what makes Wellington an attractive destination to visitors from around the world, and a great place to live.
She is pushing to accelerate climate action and ensure our communities and infrastructure are as resilient as possible. After decades of neglect, she firmly believes it is time to reinvest in our collective wellbeing, stop kicking the can down the road, and come together to create a city we are all proud of.
“Let’s make Wellington a capital of the arts, education, innovation and compassion,” she says. “And let’s make sure we bring all of us along on that journey.”
Today she lives in Wellington with her dog Teddy, who is also known as His Woofship.