\u201cI\u2019ve decided to leave New Zealand for a combination of economic, professional, and personal reasons,\u201d she said in the post. <\/p>\n
Tory Whanau has confirmed her plans to move across the ditch to Melbourne. Photo \/ Mark Mitchell<\/p>\n
Some of the reasons behind her decision included the economic climate, which she said hit Wellington particularly hard. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe current Government\u2019s deep cuts to the public service have had flow-on effects across multiple sectors, reducing opportunities not just for me, but for many talented New Zealanders,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Whanau said she believed there are limited roles that align with her experience in governance, leadership and politics in New Zealand. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m also aware that my public profile, along with my strong and at times critical positions on national policy, creates political risk for some organisations. <\/p>\n
\u201cI get it. It\u2019s simply the reality of a small country where politics and professional networks are tightly interwoven,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Whanau said stepping into a larger international environment would remove those constraints and open up opportunities to contribute. <\/p>\n
She said another reason for the change in scenery was the intensity of political life in New Zealand, which she said was becoming \u201cincreasingly personal\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile scrutiny is normal and expected in public office, the last few years brought a level of attention, including misinformation and harassment, that goes way beyond healthy democratic debate. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s ongoing and I want to create space from that environment to reset, rebuild and protect my wellbeing,\u201d Whanau said. <\/p>\n
Why Melbourne?<\/p>\n
Whanau said the decision to move to Melbourne was partly because she had lived in the \u201cvibrant\u201d city previously, but she signalled her move wouldn\u2019t last forever. <\/p>\n
\u201cI genuinely love Melbourne. I\u2019ve lived there before and it\u2019s a vibrant, diverse, international city where I can grow, contribute and simply enjoy life again. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd importantly, my move isn\u2019t an abandonment of Wellington or Aotearoa. I care deeply about this city and this country.\u201d <\/p>\n
Whanau said she would continue to support causes and communities she believed in from Australia.<\/p>\n
Tory Whanau is proud of her mayoralty achievements but is now looking for opportunities in Australia. Photo \/ Mark Mitchell <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a permanent goodbye \u2013 it\u2019s an intentional step toward growth, opportunity and sustainability,\u201d the post said. <\/p>\n
Whanau quit the mayoral race in April to instead run for the M\u0101ori ward but was beaten by Labour\u2019s Matthew Reweti, who gained the high-profile endorsement of local iwi.<\/p>\n
\u201cI worked in a pretty toxic environment, now I don\u2019t have to go back there, and I felt kind of excited about what could possibly be next,\u201d she told the Herald last month. <\/p>\n
Whanau said \u201cit was obviously a very challenging term\u201d, but she is proud of her mayoralty achievements.<\/p>\n