The power of conviction

Wellington mayoral candidate Tory Whanau isn't letting lack of local government experience dent her faith that she can lead the city.

- SARAH CATHERALL

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.