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
Andrew Little wins mayoralty bid in Wellington, Tory Whanau misses out on Māori Ward seat
RNZ — October 11, 2025

The former Labour Party leader said he felt excited and "somewhat daunted" by the role.

Mayor Little to be joined on council by Ray Chung, but no place for Tory Whanau
Stuff — October 11, 2025

Andrew Little has won the Wellington Mayoralty with an emphatic election result on Saturday.

Error leads to $7000 painted mayoral portrait of Tory Whanau, rather than photo
RNZ — October 9, 2025

A mistake by council staff led to an portrait of Wellington's outgoing Mayor being painted, rather than photographed.

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau demands change at council, discusses abuse faced in final mayoral speech
NZ Herald — October 8, 2025

It comes as Whanau says old leaked documents show sexism at council has not changed.

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau gives valedictory speech
RNZ — October 8, 2025

Wellington's outgoing mayor used her valedictory speech to call out the government and some of her colleagues.

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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.