Tory Whanau

2026-2027 Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader

Headshot of Tory Whanau, 2026-2027 Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader

Independent Advocate and Former Mayor of Wellington

Aotearoa New Zealand

Tory Whanau is an independent advocate focused on transforming government systems to ensure safety and inclusion for often unheard voices in public leadership. As the former mayor of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, she directed the passage of a $12 billion long-term infrastructure plan, securing critical investments in water, social housing, and city safety, while working to ensure inclusive discussions within the city council. Tory’s work arises from her lived experience navigating intense online harassment and ideological violence. By sharing her own challenges as a government official, she now focuses on dismantling the systemic barriers that silence leaders and threaten the integrity of public office.

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Meet the 2026-2027 Asia-Pacific Leaders

A.J. Koikoi, Jr. thumbnail

A.J. Koikoi, Jr.

Japan
Ashalyna Noa thumbnail

Ashalyna Noa

Aotearoa New Zealand
Awaludin Aryanto thumbnail

Awaludin Aryanto

Indonesia
Bolorsaikhan Badamsambuu thumbnail

Bolorsaikhan Badamsambuu

Mongolia
Casuallen Fale thumbnail

Casuallen Fale

American Samoa
Chandra Gunawan thumbnail

Chandra Gunawan

Singapore
Emily Y. Wu thumbnail

Emily Y. Wu

Taiwan
Jia Wei Cui thumbnail

Jia Wei Cui

Taiwan
Jihee Irene Choi thumbnail

Jihee “Irene” Choi

Republic of Korea
João Bosco Liberty Nahak thumbnail

João Bosco Liberty Nahak

Timor-Leste
Kal Glanznig thumbnail

Kal Glanznig

Australia
Karissa Fetalvero thumbnail

Karissa Fetalvero

Philippines
Kyi Yeung Goh thumbnail

Kyi Yeung Goh

Singapore
Landon Opunui thumbnail

Landon Opunui

Hawaiʻi
Li Seng Heng thumbnail

Li Seng Heng

Singapore
Linh Ha thumbnail

Linh Ha

Vietnam
Lipoa Kahaleuahi thumbnail

Lipoa Kahaleuahi

Hawaiʻi
Marielle Terbio thumbnail

Marielle Terbio

Guam
Mengjiao Xu thumbnail

Mengjiao Xu

China
Nathaniel Diong thumbnail

Nathaniel Diong

Australia
Nolan Flores thumbnail

Nolan Flores

Guam
Panuwat Sajjaviriyakul thumbnail

Panuwat Sajjaviriyakul

Thailand
Paul Alex Awo thumbnail

Paul “Alex” Awo

Hawaiʻi
Payal Biswas thumbnail

Payal Biswas

Hong Kong
Samintang thumbnail

Samintang

Indonesia
Samuel Olam thumbnail

Samuel Olam

Indonesia
Sandy Kunvatanagarn thumbnail

Sandy Kunvatanagarn

Thailand
Shizuka Zucca Nagahama thumbnail

Shizuka “Zucca” Nagahama

Japan
Te Awanui Reeder thumbnail

Te Awanui Reeder

Aotearoa New Zealand
Thanaselan Rajendran thumbnail

Thanaselan Rajendran

Malaysia
Tony Tambi, Jr. thumbnail

Tony Tambi, Jr.

Papua New Guinea
Tshaine Ballad Taguinod-Maggay thumbnail

Tshaine Ballad Taguinod-Maggay

Philippines
Yeji Lee thumbnail

Yeji Lee

Republic of Korea

More about the Leaders Program

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Leaders

For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.

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  • The Center
  • Building the Center
Future water terrace to honor Ann Dunham will feature Maya Lin sculpture
Join other Obama alumni in coming together to support the naming of the Water Terrace at the Obama Presidential Center in honor of the life and legacy of President Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham—as a gift for the President’s 61st birthday.
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  • Defending Democracy
  • Leaders
Copenhagen Democracy Summit
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  • Barack Obama
Watch: President Obama shares the vision of the presidential center
Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi
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