‘This wasn’t about politics’: Tory Whanau blames coordinated hate for her decision to step down

Video: Online extremism is growing louder within Aotearoa New Zealand’s political sphere. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau’s story explains what’s at stake for indigenous, female, and queer leaders.

This article contains a video clip from Paul Barlow’s documentary Fabricated Consent: Astroturfs Go Local republished under Quiet Pact Network’s content partnership agreement.

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has confirmed she won’t seek re-election in 2025. In the interview with filmmaker Paul Barlow she cited a relentless campaign of conspiracy theories, online abuse, and digital disinformation that she says was designed to humiliate and intimidate her out of public life.

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In the raw and reflective interview Whanau spoke openly about how hostile fringe groups weaponised lies to smear her reputation and spread fear effectively derailing her political momentum.

One of the most damaging conspiracies she faced was a fabricated rumour that she had appeared in a sex tape. Though completely false, it spread rapidly online — and stuck.

“We told journalists that it didn’t exist,” Whanau said, “but that particular group had so much.. for whatever reason, it gained legs. And I’m still trying to bat off that rumour today.”

“It impacted me, which is probably what they wanted, is for me not to run for mayor again.”

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Image: Mayor Tory Whanau interviewed by Paul Barlow from documentary Fabricated Consent: Astroturfs Go Local - (Quiet Pact Network / Paul the Other One / YouTube)

‘Are these people for real?’

The conspiracies were only one part of what Whanau described as an avalanche of hate. She has received repeated threats of violence, including disturbing messages and images posted directly to her social media accounts.

Whanau also linked much of the abuse to online subcultures like “red pill” communities and followers of figures such as Andrew Tate who promote misogyny and conspiratorial worldviews.

“Some of them post machine guns on my Instagram page,” she said. “Some have sent death threats. And one said he wanted to drag me down the street behind his truck.”

“I look at it and go, are these people for real? Maybe it’s a Russian bot, or maybe it is a real person. And I don’t know that yet, but the thought of them possibly being real is horrifying.”

“It’s exactly the same message, kind of like, that I’m a misandrist and I hate men.. It’s very much all that red pill type content.”

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Whanau first signalled her decision not to seek a second term in April shortly after former Labour leader Andrew Little announced his candidacy for mayor. While she previously committed to running again, Little’s entry, combined with a surge of personal abuse, pushed her to reconsider.

She now plans to contest a seat in Wellington’s new Māori ward, focusing on local advocacy and supporting a broader progressive bloc on council.

Whanau’s departure raises broader concerns about the impact of targeted disinformation and online extremism in Aotearoa New Zealand particularly for Indigenous, female, and queer leaders. She warned future candidates should be prepared for these tactics.

Though stepping back from the top job, Whanau remains committed to public service and completing key projects like the Golden Mile redevelopment. But she leaves with an important message for the city — and the country.

“Progressive candidates, especially if you’re mayor or deputy mayor, have that as a very real danger. I want people to understand: this wasn’t about politics. This was about making sure someone like me couldn’t survive it,” she said.

Image: Filmmaker Paul Barlow featured on “Fabricated Consent: Astroturfs Go Local” - (Supplied)

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The bigger picture: From comments to councils

Filmmaker Paul Barlow first saw the warning signs in Hamilton last year, where a protest outside the council building appeared to centre on everyday concerns like rates and speed bumps. But the atmosphere felt charged — and unsettling.

“It wasn’t just about rates,” Barlow says. “At a separate meeting, this same group handed out execution writs to councillors. One guy even threw a Nazi salute. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just local frustration.”

Barlow would later discover that the hostility on the ground had roots online.

Image: Front entrance of Hamilton City Council building (Supplied, Hamilton City Council)

In January, he was accidentally copied into an email meant for conspiracy theorist Billy Te Kahika. While it wasn’t sent by Hamilton Councillor Andrew Bydder, it contained a strategy document authored by Bydder that outlined how so-called ‘freedom groups’ planned to infiltrate councils and influence elections through coordinated local campaigns.

What followed was a deep dive into Telegram channels, public documents, and private Facebook groups. Many looked like harmless community pages which focused on potholes or playgrounds — but they were quietly spreading far-right talking points, including anti-Māori rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and calls for political violence.

What made these groups effective, Barlow says, was their ability to cloak extremism in the language of local democracy.

“They feel local. The people running them live in the community. They know what issues upset people — and they use that to pull them into darker content.”

This pattern mirrors what Whanau described in her own experience: ordinary grievances used as entry points to radicalisation, amplified by social media algorithms rewarding manufactured outrage.

For public figures, especially those who are Māori, queer, or progressive, the end result of being in a powerful position is a relentless campaign of online hate that spills into real-world harassment.

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Rangi

9 months ago

As always it was a good article. Whanau is just another step ahead of the angry crowed who only hate her for what she advocates for.

Mia

Tory Whanau 💞 always appreciated her. So sad to see her experience all this hate.

May she continue to do good in nz country.

Trish

Appreciate the article.

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