Tory Whanau says politics has become more toxic, especially for wāhine Māori
'Politics has become an ugly place'
Whanau has previously said she would consider quitting the mayoralty after facing scrutiny for her political and personal challenges, including the appointment of a Crown observer for the council.
She told Saturday Morning she has attracted extra attention because the 'old guard' are resistant to issues such as climate change, the cycleway network and social housing.
'Being the progressive change mayor – that does bring a lot of negativity.'
Being wahine Māori has also posed extra difficulties, she said, citing the treatment of other Māori politicians such as Tamatha Paul, Marama Davidson and Metiria Turei.
There were double standards for women, especially wāhine Māori, and the negativity had also moved on to the rainbow community.
'Politics at the moment has become quite an ugly place and I'm just an example of part of that.'
While she has enjoyed some support, especially this week since her decision on the mayoralty, politics could be 'a lonely place' and 'isolating'.
'It's absolutely crucial' to have discussions about the online criticism directed at women and gay politicians, she said.
'When is it okay to threaten the life of a politician? It is never okay,' she said in response to a councillor's claim that she had asked for the abuse she received because of her behaviour.
She did not regret using social media in her bid to attract support from young people, however, the political landscape had changed a great deal.
US President Donald Trump and some of the New Zealand coalition Government members had helped to ramp up the criticism politicians received, she said.
'The online trolling has accelerated significantly ... the political landscape has become a lot more toxic.'
She did not feel her life was in danger, however, the abuse would turn off women and rangatahi Māori from any thoughts of going into politics.
'And that becomes a danger to our democracy.'
She appealed to other politicians to make debates about policy and not personal.
Surprise at Little's decision
Whanau said she was surprised by former Labour minister Little's announcement after he had ruled out the suggestion last year.
'I accepted it [Little's decision], got my plans back in place. I am really excited about running for the Māori ward.'
She said she was not disappointed some on the left had backed Little instead of her.
The most important thing was to keep the city 'on track' with issues such as the cycleway network, building more social housing, and investing in water.
She said many of the things she had campaigned on such as more investment in water and more social housing had started during her mayoralty.
Advertise with NZME.
'The biggest thing I didn't achieve was light rail ... I at least was able to keep the Golden Mile.'
Questioned about her 'flip-flop' over the sale of Wellington Airport shares, she said it created tension.
There was a need to address the $2.3 billion underinvestment in insurance and she believed the share sale would be the best option, however, there wasn't enough support.
The council had moved on and relationships had been rebuilt.
'I've learned from that, won't be doing that again.'
It had caused 'great upset' that iwi did not have a voice over the sale of the shares, however, her relationship with iwi remained strong throughout the saga.
Housing, protection of nature, and having a voice at the table were the main priorities for mana whenua, she said.
They had been supportive over her decision to stand for the Māori ward.
Crown observer 'didn't need to happen'
Whanau said the atmosphere was 'light' during her meeting with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown during which the appointment of a Crown Observer was discussed.
'We've had independent advice that it didn't need to happen but I wanted to show Wellington that I was more than willing to work with the government to prove we could have a successful Long Term Plan ... it's back on track without the airport.'
The presence of the observer had helped with the management of councillors' behaviour, she said.
She had a 'polite' relationship with Brown and said things were warmer with the new minister Simon Watts.
Whanau said it had been an honour to perform her first karanga at two events during her term as mayor.
'One of the most special honouring moments of my life ... that has been an absolute privilege of this role.'
- RNZ
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- Otago Daily Times
Cartoonist's view — YeoToday's cartoon from Shaun Yeo.
Now that the Treaty Principles Bill has been consigned to the bin some who want to keep up the conversation about sovereignty and rangatiratanga (Māori self-determination), are refocusing on the...
Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- Otago Daily Times
Growth and the environment
As if we needed reminding. The government reinforced its emphasis on growth by releasing three discussion documents, which cover 12 national policy statements and national environmental standards. The aim is to have 16 new or updated statements and standards in place by the end of this year, well ahead of legislation to replace the Resource Management Act. They would underpin both the RMA and its replacement. The consultation covers infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater. It opened at the end of last week and runs until July 27. The scope is vast, leaving much to digest and react to. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop described the changes as both complex and technical, but also essential. The government claims its balanced approach represents the biggest change in national policy statement direction. The present regime was a "direct contributor to infrastructure deficits, driving up costs and slowing down projects". The measures would help "unclog the arteries of the economy". However, others see these changes as an assault on the environment and a win for the wish lists of lobbyists, such as farmers and miners. Freshwater will be a fierce battleground, and the government is consulting on options. After feedback, specific proposals will be released for further submissions. The government plans to "rebalance" Te Mana o te Wai, while Act New Zealand would like it scrapped altogether. Te Mana o te Wai placed the health of waterways as the priority, followed by drinking water, with economics and social matters secondary. New objectives propose that councils should "safeguard the life-supporting capacity of freshwater and the health of people and communities, while enabling communities to provide for their social, cultural and economic well-being, including productive economic opportunities". In other words, neither priority is ranked above the other. Councils would also be required "to consider the pace and cost of change, and who bears the cost". The government, occasionally correctly, claims that practical realities were sometimes ignored when previous standards were applied. Yet, strong action is vital to reverse the degradation of wetlands, lakes, rivers and aquifers. There are also loosened provisions for vegetable growers and water storage. The definition of wetlands is "clarified". It is claimed that the costs were disproportionate to the benefits, with fencing requirements for non-intensive grazing a notable example. In some cases, dilution is the solution. Consenting for quarrying and mining and clean energy projects would be streamlined, described as "cutting red tape and not corners". Commercial forestry changes may lead to slash mobilisation plan assessments, although questions have been raised about their enforcement. Granny flats of up to 70sq m would be allowed without consent in specific zones, and rules for housing on Māori land would be made more consistent and accessible. Consultation on housing direction as a whole is expected soon. Of course, the government claims environmental protections are important and will be retained. Rightly, there is scepticism. The devil lurks within a hell of a lot of detail across the standards. They will each need to be carefully and fairly scrutinised, although the results will inevitably fall short of satisfying competing views and interests. It has become clear that the narrow majority of Otago Regional councillors were quixotic when they fought on for their land and water plan. The government was always going to change the rules, and they should have accepted that sooner. National regional council representatives this week expressed frustration at policy swings. They are on the front line of RMA (and any replacements). They seek greater certainty and bipartisan agreement, as substantial changes bring upheaval and expense. The RMA itself was a bipartisan measure, once a pioneering piece of legislation internationally. However, it became more complex and criticised from all quarters. National promptly discarded Labour's 2023 RMA replacement. Lasting and consistent laws and standards built on practical environmental protection would necessitate major compromises. Yet, such a consensus is increasingly unlikely as National and Labour move further apart.
Scoop
5 hours ago
- Scoop
Changes To Fish & Game Continue Coalition's Handover Of Power To Polluters
Press Release – Choose Clean Water Choose Clean Water spokesperson Tom Kay says the changes announced today are clearly designed to remove Fish & Games ability to advocate for the health of rivers. Changes announced to Fish & Game this morning are another move in the Coalition Government's handover of power to intensive farming and other polluting commercial interests, and will result in the further degradation of our rivers and freshwater, say freshwater campaigners. Choose Clean Water spokesperson Tom Kay says the changes announced today are clearly designed to remove Fish & Game's ability to advocate for the health of rivers. 'Fish & Game has used its statutory purpose as a strong advocate for the health of rivers across New Zealand, and as such has helped protect numerous rivers from pollution and degradation.' 'There are some things about the system that do need fixing, but this is not only about that—this is the Coalition Govt taking advantage of an opportunity to reduce Fish & Game's influence over polluters.' 'When environmental groups, local community groups, or iwi can't afford to legally challenge a damaging activity or poorly made decision, Fish & Game is often there to ensure waterways are protected—working on behalf of their members to protect habitat for fish. But this Government is trying to stop that.' The Coalition has stated that Fish & Game's advocacy functions will be 'revised' so regional Fish & Game Councils will only be able to take court action in relation to advocacy if explicitly approved by the New Zealand Fish & Game Council or the Minister and within a new restricted advocacy policy. This morning's press release from Minister for Hunting and Fishing James Meager on the changes states they will restrict the organisation's ability to undertake court proceedings and require 'Fish & Game councils to better consider the interests of other stakeholders such as farmers and the aviation sector in decision-making'. 'It's telling that the Government has said specifically that it wants Fish & Game to better consider farming interests. Why not public health interests? Why not the interests of future generations? Why not the myriad of other commercial interests that operate in our communities? This demonstrates that this decision is another example of the Government enabling more pollution in rivers, lakes, and drinking water sources, and the handing of more power over our water to polluting commercial interests like intensive farming.' 'We know how detrimental the influence of Ministers can be over the statutory purposes of agencies like the Department of Conservation to protect our environment, for example. This is another case of Ministers being given the power to step in and stop actions that would protect our environment.' Fish & Game led the processes to secure many Water Conservation Orders —similar to National Parks—for our rivers, protecting them for anglers and the public alike to enjoy. In 2002 they launched a large campaign against 'Dirty Dairying' and the conversion of land into intensive agriculture, particularly in the South Island. More recently, Fish & Game took up a legal challenge against ongoing extreme pollution of Southland's waterways where dairy interests were wrongly claiming 'there is no evidence of diffuse discharges from farming activities, either individually or cumulatively, causing adverse effects, including significant adverse effects on aquatic life'. 'Proponents of damaging, intensive agriculture and other major polluters are all over this Government's decisions. This decision stinks of undue influence.'
