Barry Soper: How did Tory Whanau get the Wellington mayoralty?

If you have wondered how someone like Tory Whanau could win the mayoralty of our country's capital city, then wonder no more.

It's the same reason why one of the country's most revered mayors in recent years, Dame Kerry Prendergast, lost her nine-year grip on the city's mayoralty to another unfathomable choice, Celia Wade-Brown.

It's not because both Whanau and Wade-Brown are Greens and it's not because both of them love cycleways, despite vocal ratepayer opposition to the amount of money being spent on Wellington cycleways.

Kate Hawkesby: Aucklanders count yourself lucky not to have Wellington's Mayor

For everyone in Auckland who bemoans our Mayor, and actually I’m not sure there are many of them left anymore or maybe they’ve just gone quiet, it could be worse. We could have Wellington’s Mayor. 

Now Tory Whanau has had her fair share of headlines and bad press since her arrival. There was the infamous “don’t you know who I am” alleged drunken incident at a Wellington restaurant, as well as leaving without paying the bill. 

She also made headlines back in June when she faced criticism for not attending meetings or events.