What. The. Hell. Is. She. Doing. Now???
No central government bid for Tory Whanau – for now
Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has ruled out a bid for central government next year, but says it could be on the cards in 2029.
Whanau was elected as the capital’s mayor in 2022, and intended to run for re-election this year before pulling out of the race when former Labour MP Andrew Little announced his bid.
On Wednesday, the former Green Party chief of staff told The NZ Herald her goal was to run for Parliament on a Green ticket in 2029 – although she would not commit to the idea entirely.
She told Newstalk ZB in 2023 she would “love to have a crack at being a minister” someday, but ruled out a bid in 2026, saying she was “just not ready yet”, and was committed to a full term as a Māori ward councillor if elected.
“2029 is probably more of a goal for me,” she said. “I’m committing to the Māori ward, and I really hope I’m elected and I’ll do that to the very end.”
Whanau initially said she wanted three terms in the mayoralty. After announcing she was quitting the mayoral race, she posted on social media she would likely have another tilt at the mayoralty in 2028.
But she told The NZ Herald on Wednesday: “I’ve reflected a lot and when I look at what has been achieved at council under my mayoralty, which is pretty much everything I promised except for light rail, I’m actually quite happy with what I’ve left here, I don’t think I need to run for the mayoralty again.”
In a statement to RNZ, she said: “I’m passionate about delivering the best outcomes for Māori and will continue to be a strong advocate for our people. That’s why I’m seeking election as Māori Ward Councillor – so I can remain at the table and influence decisions that affect our community.
What the fuck is she doing?
Look, I WANT TO SUPPORT MĀORI WOMEN IN POLITICS I really, really, really do, but this is another example of the self-inflicted interview train wrecks that seem to be her super power.
So she is, she isn’t, she is, she might not – she has done so many u-turns in just 72 hours she has come full circle.
So many differing positions in 3 days just comes across as flakey, and she has made a habit of doing this.
I’ve actually just given up, I am still not clear what she is saying.
Thank the little baby Jesus that she is not running for the Wellington Mayoralty this year.
Increasingly having independent opinion in a mainstream media environment which mostly echo one another has become more important than ever, so if you value having an independent voice – please donate here.
“I WANT TO SUPPORT MĀORI WOMEN IN POLITICS I really, really, really do”
Great so why no cheering on Tania Tapsell? A young ‘competent’ wahine mayor.
Maybe she’s the wrong type of Maori woman. I get the impression that there are a lot of bad Maoris out there, but luckily some nice white people are around to point them out to me and also to tell me who are the good ones.
‘National party member’ doesn’t mean competent, actually.
She would be a good fit with the other misfits who are the Green Party members of goverment
They are only misfits to you because they are every day 21st century kiwis from all segments of society which you right wing clowns despise and why you hate the Greens so much. They show you right wingers up to be what you really are . Anti women anti Maori and anti a decent society that’s not pakeha dominated.
Greens are anti white males
Yes Trevor she has all the attributes of a Green politician, she fits the mould.
It’s only 2 U turns to do a full circle, it sounds like Tory Whanau has no idea where she is going which is an unfortunate reality for some on the Left, you could say the same about some on the Right as well but if you want to be a credible alternative government you need decent selection pressure to weed out those who have no useful contribution.
Yeah and there is a hell of a lot on the right that need to be weeded out.
That’s for sure and this current lot and the state of the USA sure demonstrates why. Considering the bullshit that is thrown at women politicians i don’t blame her for being flakey right now.
She aight tho
She was really articulate on the Elephant so maybe she should avoid airing her internal monologue on right wing media. She gets the shits or something.