A New Zealand mayor is facing criticism after allegedly berating restaurant staff while under the influence and leaving without paying her bill. Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has admitted to being “tipsy” and “a little bit merry” during her visit to Vietnamese fusion restaurant The Old Quarter on Friday night. However, she denies ever saying, “do you know who I am?” to the staff.
According to Shay Lomas, the manager of the restaurant, Whanau was already intoxicated when she arrived at around 7 pm. Lomas revealed that the staff debated whether or not to serve her, but ultimately decided to take her order because it was food. The waiter who served Whanau claimed that she held a bottle of wine and asked him if he knew who she was. When he guessed that she might be a politician, Whanau allegedly responded saying, “I’m the mayor, can you do your thing?” Whanau and her friend then left the restaurant without paying their bill.
Whanau has stated that there are different accounts of what was said that night and she believes her failure to pay was merely a “miscommunication” between her and her friend. Both of them apparently thought the other had taken care of the bill. Whanau expressed her embarrassment about the incident and returned the next morning to settle her bill.
The story has sparked a debate about entitlement and accountability among public officials. Many criticize Whanau for her behavior, arguing that she should set a better example as the mayor of the city. Others believe that the incident is being blown out of proportion and that everyone makes mistakes, including public figures.
It is not uncommon for incidents involving public officials to attract media attention. The public holds them to a higher standard and expects them to uphold a certain level of integrity and ethical behavior. Whanau’s actions have undoubtedly tarnished her reputation and may have consequences for her political career.
This incident serves as a reminder that public officials should be mindful of their behavior, both in public and private settings. It is essential for them to demonstrate integrity and accountability in all aspects of their lives to maintain the trust of the public they serve.
In conclusion, Mayor Tory Whanau of Wellington, New Zealand, has come under scrutiny for allegedly berating restaurant staff while being intoxicated and leaving without paying her bill. Whanau has admitted to being “tipsy” but denies saying, “do you know who I am?” She claims the failure to pay was a miscommunication that has since been rectified. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the behavior of public officials and the higher standards expected of them. Whanau’s actions may have consequences for her political career and serve as a reminder of the importance of integrity and accountability in public office.
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