Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says she will no longer go out on a Friday night for a drink and has been through a process of mourning her private life.

It has been a tough month for the mayor after her tipsy night out on the town when she forgot to pay the bill, then finding herself in breach of the council’s tenancy agreement by bringing her dog Teddy to the office, and ongoing criticism of her attendance at civic events.

Whanau told Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills if she could have changed something, she would have accepted earlier that she is a public figure and people are watching.

“I’ve gone through a bit of a process of mourning my past life, my private life, and I wasn’t letting it go. I’ve let that go and I’m ready to move on and focus on the city.”

Asked whether she would still go out on a Friday night for a drink, Whanau said she would not.

“This Friday I’m going to a theatre show. I’m still going to go out to stuff but I’m going to keep certain socialising to my home.”

The Wellington Mayor describes the adjustments she's had to make to her social life since becoming mayor.

Whanau said she wanted to remain authentic, which included her passion for the city and being able to have a laugh.

“It’s just I now realise the second I leave my house I belong to the public.”

Whanau has found the recent attention on her unusual and said it has been a big learning experience.

“The last two to three months going from being a backroom staffer for quite a long time to becoming a public figure has been an experience that people just aren’t really that equipped for. They don’t really teach you this stuff.”

But she was confident she could handle the adjustment.

This morning the Herald revealed Whanau’s dog Teddy would likely be sent out of town to live with family after his visits to the office were found to be in breach of the council’s tenancy agreement.

Whanau said she accepted the rules but described it as an “emotional hit” as her 12-14 hour work days would make it difficult to look after Teddy.

Tory Whanau explains to Nick Mills the situation with her dog, Teddy.

“Since the story broke, I’ve had some people reach out to me to try and help. People are like ‘justice for Teddy’ and they want to help keep him here in the city which I really appreciate,” Whanau said.

However, Whanau said Teddy will most likely be sent to Levin to live with her sister.

“I am sad... he’s my little baby and this job has long hours. It’s a lonely job and I’m single, so don’t have a support network at home, so Teddy was my support.”

Listen above for Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau's interview with Nick Mills on Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings.

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says she will no longer go out on a Friday night for a drink and has been through a process of mourning her private life.
It has been a tough month for the mayor after <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington-mayor-tory-whanau-apologises-for-skipping-bill-denies-drunken-behaviour-at-popular-restaurant/WNO3JCCEARBZ3HI3HPSEBWOMKQ/">her tipsy night out on the town</a> when she forgot to pay the bill, then finding herself in<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/harvard-loves-teddy-wellington-mayors-dog-finds-favour-in-new-york/V3YL4Y66HZAC3NGKJUSMXT4AVE/"> breach of the council’s tenancy agreement</a> by bringing her dog Teddy to the office, and ongoing criticism of her attendance at civic events.
Whanau told Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills if she could have changed something, she would have accepted earlier that she is a public figure and people are watching.
“I’ve gone through a bit of a process of mourning my past life, my private life, and I wasn’t letting it go. I’ve let that go and I’m ready to move on and focus on the city.”
Asked whether she would still go out on a Friday night for a drink, Whanau said she would not.
“This Friday I’m going to a theatre show. I’m still going to go out to stuff but I’m going to keep certain socialising to my home.”

The Wellington Mayor describes the adjustments she's had to make to her social life since becoming mayor.
Whanau said she wanted to remain authentic, which included her passion for the city and being able to have a laugh.
“It’s just I now realise the second I leave my house I belong to the public.”
Whanau has found the recent attention on her unusual and said it has been a big learning experience.
“The last two to three months going from being a backroom staffer for quite a long time to becoming a public figure has been an experience that people just aren’t really that equipped for. They don’t really teach you this stuff.”
But she was confident she could handle the adjustment.
This morning the Herald revealed Whanau’s dog <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington-mayor-tory-whanaus-dog-evicted-from-mayoral-office-after-tenancy-breach/7VYATSAO7VDSVH4UPXUO7UL2UQ/">Teddy would likely be sent out of town to live with family</a> after his visits to the office were found to be in breach of the council’s tenancy agreement.
Whanau said she accepted the rules but described it as an “emotional hit” as her 12-14 hour work days would make it difficult to look after Teddy.

Tory Whanau explains to Nick Mills the situation with her dog, Teddy.
“Since the story broke, I’ve had some people reach out to me to try and help. People are like ‘justice for Teddy’ and they want to help keep him here in the city which I really appreciate,” Whanau said.
However, Whanau said Teddy will most likely be sent to Levin to live with her sister.
“I am sad... he’s my little baby and this job has long hours. It’s a lonely job and I’m single, so don’t have a support network at home, so Teddy was my support.”
Listen above for Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau's interview with Nick Mills on Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings.

Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis.

You don't find many people more passionate about the capital than Nick, and he comes to Wellington Mornings after decades of success as the man behind some of the city's leading hospitality and entertainment offerings - Spruce Goose, Hummingbird and the Wellington Saints basketball team just to name a few.

Nick's proud of his city but also knows much can be improved on to make Wellington an even better place, and brings an honest, edgy, fun and engaging show to Wellingtonians each weekday from 9 'til midday.

Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis. You don't find many people more passionate about the capital than Nick, and he comes to Wellington Mornings after decades of success as the man behind some of the city's leading hospitality and entertainment offerings - Spruce Goose, Hummingbird and the Wellington Saints basketball team just to name a few. Nick's proud of his city but also knows much can be improved on to make Wellington an even better place, and brings an honest, edgy, fun and engaging show to Wellingtonians each weekday from 9 'til midday.

Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis.