Tory Whanau
Official Candidate Biography
As the current Mayor of Wellington it would be an honour to serve another term and work to deliver better outcomes for mana whenua.
Under my mayoralty, we’ve made amazing progress for the city: A record investment of $1.8b in water and over 9,000 leaks fixed; Passing the District Plan to enable thousands of new homes, 373 affordable rentals and upgrades now planned for over 800 social housing units; 27 km new cycleways and bus priority lanes have doubled from 4km to 8km; Planted 223,000 trees around Wellington; On track to open the Central Library, Civic Square and the Town Hall in the next two years
Plus much more. A want to continue leading a community that celebrates diversity and looks after its most vulnerable. Most importantly, I want us to ensure we're honouring te tiriti with our iwi partners.
Connect with Tory Whanau
Tory Whanau’s Elections & Candidacies
Note: This database contains data from the 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014 general elections, the 2025 local government election and is gradually being backfilled with other election data.
Contested 2 races — 1 elected 1 not elected
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Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori WardWellington City CouncilAffiliation: Green PartyFinal Not electedVote share • 36.5%1,148 votes
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MayorWellington City CouncilAffiliation: Independent GreenFinal ElectedVote share • 39.9%34,462 votes
Offices held
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MayorWellington City CouncilAffiliation: IndependentOct 2022 – Oct 2025
In the News
Andrew Little buddies up to the right
The Spinoff — November 25, 2025In his first council meeting as Wellington mayor, Andrew Little gave a big promotion to controversial rival Ray Chung and opened a political rift between Labour and the Greens.
Whanau says harassment ‘ongoing’ as she outlines reasons for moving to Melbourne
Stuff — November 20, 2025Former Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has revealed the reasons why she’s decided to up sticks and move across the Tasman to Melbourne.
Tory Whanau says move to Melbourne isn't 'a permanent goodbye'
RNZ — November 20, 2025Wellington's former mayor says her plan to move to Australia isn't an abandonment of the city.
Former Wellington mayor Tory Whanau leaving for Melbourne opportunities
NZ Herald — November 19, 2025She says New Zealand’s political scene has become ‘increasingly personal’.
Former Wellington mayor confirms move to Melbourne
The Post — November 19, 2025Tory Whanau will soon join the thousands of Kiwis crossing the ditch. But won’t say if she has a job to go to.
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This database currently contains data from the 2025 local government eleciton, and general elections in 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014. It is being backfilled with older data. Please get in touch if you want to help.