Will’s Word: Tory Whanau showed leadership to the end

Tory whanau not running for re-election? That's not just political news, it's a damn shame frankly.

She didn't just tap out, she got chewed up by a system that loves to crush anyone trying to shake things up. She came in with a vision: fix the city, clean up the mess, and bring back some actual vibes to Wellington.

$1.8 billion pumped into fixing the city's broken pipes, which were rotting way before she showed up. She was committed to revamping Courtenay Place, which as a Gen Zer, I'm all for.

New cycleways, climate upgrades, better support for the unhoused, you name it. But instead of getting props, she got dragged for what, having a personal life? Going out?

The same people who've let this city fall apart for years suddenly turned into moral police, the moment Tory tried to lead with some humanity. The double standards? Disgusting. And let's not forget the council room, in which I've covered in the past as a journalist.

That place, I can hand-on-heart say, is toxic. Some councillors clearly didn't want her to succeed. They were more interested in chaos than change. I saw it, I reported on it, the vibes were rancid.

It felt like some were just waiting to pounce no matter what she did. Now Tory's stepping back, not because she couldn't do the job, I'd argue it's because the politics around it were a dumpster fire.

She says she didn't want a Greens vs Labour war, that's honourable, she's putting the city first and backing Andrew Little. That's classy, that's leadership.

So perhaps she's not quitting? Sounds as though she's pivoting. Let's be honest, the people dancing over this news, they didn't beat Tory, they've exposed themselves.

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They've shown just how nasty, small-minded and power-hungry local politics can get. Who would have thought? I'm going to go out on a limb here, Wellington didn't deserve Tory whanau, but she gave it her all.

We should remember that, and I know I'm going to cop a lot of heat for this opinion piece this morning. Honestly though, if we keep treating good people like this, don't be surprised when no one decent wants to lead.

Heaven forbid. Where to next though? That's the big question.

That's Will's Word.