Until a year ago, few Wellingtonians had heard of Tory Whanau. The digital communications specialist and lobbyist was the first candidate to announce she will stand for the Wellington mayoralty at the local authority elections on October 8. But when you look through her CV, the 39-year-old doesn't appear to have done much that might qualify her for the job of leading the country's third-biggest city.
Of Pakakohi and Ngā Ruahine descent, Whanau hasn't been a Wellington city councillor, or stood for council; nor has she been a politician. But she has spent a fair bit of time around politicians - she spent five years as the Green Party's chief of staff. Part of her role was to train MPs and help Labour, the Greens and NZ First thrash out common ground on key policies.
For all her apparent lack of leadership experience, Whanau brings a couple of attributes that her likely main opponents - current mayor Andy Foster (if he stands again) and Rongotai MP and former deputy mayor Paul Eagle (who is rumoured to be standing) are perceived by some to lack: charisma and chutzpah.
From her perch in one of Wellington's best-known cafes, Caffe L'affare, Whanau flicks her sleek ponytail and taps manicured fingernails against a smoothie glass. If elected, the central city resident would be Wellington's first Māori mayor. Her supporters argue she represents a contemporary Wellingtonian: she's relatively young, urban, Māori, Green, and loves being out and about experiencing the city's hospitality scene.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 11 - 17, 2022-Ausgabe von New Zealand Listener.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 11 - 17, 2022-Ausgabe von New Zealand Listener.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.