Teaching others to advocate for the overlooked
Trailblazing politician Tory Whanau has carved out a remarkable path from humble beginnings to the corridors of power.
Born in Porirua in 1983 and of Pakakohi and Ngāruahine descent, she grew up between Cannons Creek and the small Taranaki town of Pātea. A life-changing Lotto win in 2003 enabled her to pay off her parents’ mortgage, support her whānau, and explore the world before returning to Wellington to complete her studies, earning a BA in Media Studies from Victoria University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Management from Massey University.
Starting her career in the creative sector at the New Zealand Film Commission, Tory moved into marketing and digital communications roles across finance and health before finding her true calling in politics. In 2015, she joined the Green Party’s parliamentary team, swiftly rising to become Chief of Staff, where she played key roles in government formation negotiations following the 2017 and 2020 elections.
Fuelled by lessons learned from leaders like Hon James Shaw, Hon Marama Davidson and Dame Jacinda Ardern, Tory chose to forge her own path, standing successfully as an independent in 2022 to become Wellington’s first mayor of Māori descent. Her tenure has spanned ambitious urban development projects, complex financial decisions, and navigating the city through political scrutiny and high-stakes debates over Wellington’s future. In 2025, she stepped away from the mayoralty race to contest Wellington’s Māori ward, determined to keep championing her community.
Tory’s unconventional journey has inspired her to share insights about turning life’s unexpected events and personal challenges into strengths, connecting deeply with audiences through authentic storytelling and her vision of courageous, inclusive leadership.