[INTERVIEW] Wellington mayor's love for Korean culture spurs collaboration

Mayor Whanau promotes global vision through sister city ties, inclusive policies

Tory Whanau, mayor of Wellington, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at Seoul City Hall, Tuesday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government.

By Pyo Kyung-min

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau, the first Maori leader of New Zealand's capital, is a bona fide K-drama enthusiast who brought her love for Korean culture to the political forefront during her visit to Seoul. The trip marks a significant step in international relations for Wellington as well as a showcase of how cultural passion can translate into political action.

While in Seoul, she signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), elevating Seoul and Wellington's relationship to the sister city level, and took part in the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum.

In an exclusive interview with The Korea Times, Whanau shared her excitement about the opportunity to sign the MOU herself.

"The council has worked tirelessly to build this relationship with Seoul, something Wellington City has desired for a long time," Mayor Whanau said. "As a devoted fan of K-dramas, I felt truly honored to be the one signing the document."

Her fascination with Korea began with her discovery of a drama called "Chief of Staff" in 2019. Since then, Whanau has been captivated by K-dramas, thanks to their high-quality storytelling and stunning visuals. Whanau's admiration for K-culture even extends to one actor in particular, Cha Eun-woo, known for "his high-quality emotional acting and striking visuals."

"I've seen some dramas, like 'True Beauty,' where individuals face adversity, but through the narrative, they emerge in a better place. It's truly uplifting and embodies the spirit of hope, something Wellingtonians are all about," the mayor said.

Notably, Whanau pointed out that Korean culture's popularity is on the rise in Wellington.

"It's quite funny, especially considering that the mayor is the biggest fan," she chuckled. "If you were to look at the Netflix rankings in Wellington, you'd often find K-dramas at the top. In fact, we have a K-culture festival coming up soon due to its immense popularity."

In addition to her task of elevating the relationship between Seoul and Wellington, Mayor Whanau emphasized the importance of inclusivity in community-building during the gathering of city leaders from across the globe.

"I spoke about how our Indigenous people should have more say in our decision-making processes, an approach we've already implemented with our Maori communities," she explained.

"We also prioritize the voices of marginalized groups, including youth, the disabled and the rainbow community. By actively involving these communities in policy discussions, we aim to ensure they can lead fulfilling lives in Wellington."

Whanau highlighted her commitment to minorities and youth, stating that young people, who are often underrepresented in government policies, represent the future.

"I know that young people are underrepresented when it comes to local government or senior government, but they are the ones that are going to have to live in the future that we build for them. So one of the main reasons I ran for mayor was to focus on youth, to build a strong community for them. Their insights are invaluable, especially regarding pressing issues like the housing market and climate change, which directly impact their prospects," she said.

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau, left, holds a sister city MOU signed with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon at Seoul City Hall, Tuesday. Korea Times Photo by Pyo Kyung-min

The Wellington mayor also addressed the declining birthrates in both Korea and New Zealand, recognizing the concerns of younger generations about their future.

"The younger generations are so worried about their future. I would much like to set up a city that can look after our young people first. I think that's why policies like those for young people are mandatory because they need to know that their local government or central government is going to be there for them, to provide for them. So I thought a collaborative youth policy of Seoul and Wellington is crucial to get our healthy cities back on track."

Her ambitions extend beyond cultural exchange and inclusivity as Wellington's digital twin initiative won the inaugural Seoul Smart City Prize during the mayors' summit. Whanau noted that her city plans to make the digital twin technology used in smart city projects freely available to cities around the world.

"We're working on various programs, including the release of digital twin technology for free. This technology allows us to visualize the climate impact on our city, assess different actions and outcomes and raise awareness about the importance of climate policy and commitment levels," she said.

Whanau emphasized Wellington's aim to become a globally connected, inclusive and future-focused city.

"The potential to replicate this technology globally is substantial. It equips cities with the tools to make informed decisions and reduce emissions, a cause I wholeheartedly support."