‘I’m a young Wahine Mori’: Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says criticism of her is ‘gendered’

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Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has responded to criticism she has received this week for not showing up to major events.

“I actually apologized at a few big meetings for pretty serious reasons and now it’s become an ‘absent mayor’ when it absolutely isn’t,” Whanau told Newshub Nation on Saturday.

“I should have been there. I apologized the morning of. It’s not ideal. I wouldn’t do that again.”

She said the criticism was “gendered” and that she was notably “screamed and roasted” at a recent residents’ association meeting.

“I am a young wahine Mori. I am progressive and shameless,” she said.

“I think all women can understand ‘how it feels’ to be shouted at by a group of men from a privileged background.

“It was really unpleasant but I was actually just more disappointed because it was taking a breather.”

Whanau told Newshub that the criticism that she’s a party girl shouldn’t be taken as a negative.

“I’m 40, I’m single, I love our hotel scene and every other week I like hanging out with my friends and going to a few bars and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.

“Saturday night, should I be in the office? Well no, that’s just silly.

“I have a right to privacy. I have a right to have a little fun with my friends and there are people who take issue with that,” Whanau said.

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