Tory Whanau withdrew from the Wellington mayoral race to avoid a damaging Green vs Labour contest after Andrew Little entered with Labour’s backing, saying it was "what’s best for the city."

FACTS

  • Whanau will now run for the council’s Māori ward
  • Her turbulent mayoral term included personal struggles and Crown intervention
  • Little is positioning himself as the candidate offering “a new direction”
Tory Whanau withdrew from the Wellington mayoral race to avoid a damaging Green vs Labour contest after Andrew Little entered with Labour’s backing, saying it was "what’s best for the city."
"Health NZ has limited budget available for salary settlements within its tight financial constraints.”
"Since they cannot control me, they are targeting my family."
"Government dependency has become a way to redistribute the country’s wealth rather than building skills and social mobility."