Former Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau Announces Move to Melbourne

Former Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has confirmed her decision to relocate to Melbourne, becoming part of a growing trend of New Zealanders moving to Australia. Whanau, who stepped down after the October council elections, had previously indicated her intentions to explore opportunities outside of Wellington.

In an interview following the elections, Whanau mentioned the challenging job market in Wellington, stating, “I’m looking at Wellington jobs, but the market is tight, so I’m actually also looking internationally as well … places like Melbourne, New York.” Her recent announcement on social media has solidified her plans to move to Melbourne in 2026.

Whanau had campaigned for a council seat in the te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori ward but ultimately lost to Matthew Rewiti. Although she confirmed her relocation plans, she chose not to comment further on Wednesday.

The trend of New Zealanders relocating to Australia has been notable, with figures from Stats NZ indicating a net migration of approximately 30,000 people moving to Australia last year. This represents the largest loss of residents across the Tasman in a single calendar year since 2012.

As Whanau prepares for her new life in Melbourne, her move reflects broader demographic shifts and the continuing allure of opportunities in Australia for Kiwis.