Tory Whanau portrait

Tory Whanau

Party Independent Green
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

2025 NZ Local Government • October 11, 2025 Local
  • Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward
    Wellington City Council
    Affiliation: Green Party
    [email protected] 021 959 514 Ballot name: Tory Whanau
    Final Not elected
    Vote share • 36.5%
    1,148 votes
2022 NZ Local Government • October 8, 2022 Local
  • Mayor
    Wellington City Council
    Affiliation: Independent Green
    Final Elected
    Vote share • 39.9%
    34,462 votes
Offices held
  • Mayor
    Wellington City Council
    Affiliation: Independent
    Oct 2022 – Oct 2025
In the News
Wellington Mayor Andrew Little scraps Tory Whanau-era mayoral business advisory group
NZ Herald — November 13, 2025

The mayor said business leaders "didn’t feel listened to" by Tory Whanau's initiative.

Secret party bill for Tory Whanau’s portrait unveiling
The Post — November 11, 2025

Wellington City council spent over $1000 on food and drinks for a gallery unveiling of the former mayor’s official portrait — despite a directive to cut costs.

Wellington councillor Ray Chung re-elected with a margin of 45 votes
RNZ — October 17, 2025

Both the prime minister and the opposition leader earlier criticised Chung over an email about former mayor Tory Whanau.

Tory Whanau considers move overseas after council ward election loss
NZ Herald — October 14, 2025

'It certainly wouldn’t be forever, I would plan on coming back.'

Tory Whanau confirms legal action, may join the Kiwi brain drain
The Post — October 14, 2025

The outgoing Wellington mayor is considering Melbourne or New York job opportunities ‒ and has already put about $5000 into legal fees for defamation action against her worst critics.

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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.