Wellington Mayor Tory Whānau’s lifestyle change, new home and gym adoration

Tory whānau is ditching the stilettos she wore to parliament for sneakers as she settles into her role as Wellington’s mayor, becoming one of those “disgusting gym cult types” who will soon move into a new townhouse she bought off the plan. .

The mayor’s personal problems, a Green supporter, were a distraction during his first year in the city’s top job.

She admitted she had a problem with alcohol after she was seen publicly drunk at a bar in Havana, prompting calls for her resignation. Since then, she has vowed to get sober and sought professional help.

Mr whānau does not want to speculate about the gossip circulating in Wellington or draw attention to the details of the night in question.

“There are rumors going around that something happened that didn’t actually happen. There’s a lot of speculation, but all I can say is that I was out, inebriated, and immediately admitted to a drinking problem. It just means that.”

Last year, news broke that a whānau’s dog Teddy was being kicked out of town after it emerged he was not allowed in the office.

However, her personal life is not all gloomy. The new year brings a change of scenery for the Mayor as he prepares to move into a new townhouse in Mt Cook.

Construction is expected to be completed in February. Mr whānau bought out the scheme and sold his home in the northern suburbs of Ngaio, where he has been renting for the time being.

“Suburban life isn’t for me. It’s very family-oriented and nice. But I like being within walking distance to everything in the city…I’m still young and “I’m single and a professional, so the city center doesn’t really suit me more,” she said.

With a new focus on health, whānau became “one of those disgusting gym-cult kind of people”.

She participates in Body Fit Training (BFT). She says this is a cool version of her F45.

One day, her friend forced her to follow class and the whanau loved it.

“There’s a lot of young professionals out there, and there’s a lot of hip-hop music playing during training. And I want to get healthier, I want to be more active, I want to get healthy again, but in the first year, it’s a lot of hip-hop music. It’s been put on the back burner.”This is exactly what I needed in this mayorship. ”

She turned 40 last year and said it took her a while to adjust.

“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished at 40 years old. I’m growing up and getting older, and that’s okay.”

But Whanau wished he could still call himself young.

The whānau is close to her two-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, Teddy, but is close to being kicked out of the town after his visits to her office were found to be in breach of the council’s lease. Ta.

At one point, the whānau thought she would have to send Teddy to Levin to live with his sister because he was too busy to stay home and care for her.

later herald Once Teddy’s fate was revealed, whānau were flooded with offers of help.

He currently stays at doggy daycare three days a week, with friends helping out the other days.

“He remains my little baby,” she said.

The whānau has revamped her wardrobe from the stiletto heels and pencil skirts she wore in her previous role as Green Party chief of staff.

“Ever since I became mayor, I’ve been looking for a little solace. As you can see, I’m wearing sneakers now, but I like this style a little better.”

Whānau embrace the wide-leg trousers trend, often worn with a tucked-in white T-shirt and paired with a blazer.

“I feel like it’s a little bit easier, it’s cooler, it’s a lot more relaxed.”

She keeps an eye on fashion trends on TikTok and hires a personal stylist because “changing your style can go horribly wrong.”

The stylist worked for Juliet Horgan, so the whānau ended up spending quite a bit of money on New Zealand designer clothes.

The whānau frequents Flo & Frankie, but her idol is Maori fashion designer Kiri Nathan.

The mayor is on a staycation this summer after feeling a little burnt out and gray. She plans to catch up on her sleep, go to the gym, and take Teddy for a hike.

“I don’t really socialize. I’m going to see my family, but lately I’ve been trying to stay energized and recharge.”

Georgina Campbell is a Wellington-based reporter with a particular interest in local government, transport and earthquake issues. She joined the Herald in 2019 after she worked as a broadcast journalist.