High-Profile Donor Withdraws Support for Mayoral Candidate Amid Email Scandal

A prominent philanthropist has distanced himself from mayoral candidate Ray Chung following an email controversy, while another supporter continues to back his campaign.

Ray Chung, a candidate for mayor of Wellington, recently found himself at the center of a political storm after an internal email he sent in early 2023 was made public. The email, seen by RNZ, recounted a story he had been told by a neighbor about the mayor, Tory Whanau, and her son. Whanau has since denied the allegations, calling them false and malicious.

Richlister and philanthropist Sir Mark Dunajtschik expressed his disappointment in Chung’s actions, stating that he does not support such behavior. In a public statement, Dunajtschik emphasized the importance of clean campaigns and urged all candidates to focus on the city’s pressing issues rather than personal attacks.

"I believe that the city will best be served by a mayor and councillors who bring a mix of business and local body experience," Dunajtschik said. "Assuming the recent media reports, about dirty politics, are correct, I am disappointed, I do not support that behavior nor will I support any candidates who engage in it. I urge all candidates to engage in a clean campaign and address the important and urgent issues facing the city, they should play the ball not the person."

Despite the controversy, Alistair Boyce, a member of the group Better Wellington, remains a strong supporter of Chung. He argued that the email was a private communication and that Chung’s actions were not malicious. However, Boyce acknowledged that Chung was naive in sending the email, given his limited experience as a first-time councillor.

"He was only two to two and a half months into his tenure as a councillor, a first-time councillor, he doesn’t know protocols or procedures," Boyce said. "So he was very naive to put that - he should have probably just discussed it privately, in person, and said this is the situation I’ve come up against, with a constituent who has related this story."

Whanau, the mayor, expressed her concern over the spread of harmful falsehoods and called on candidates to uphold the highest standards of respect and integrity. She emphasized that spreading rumors is a tactic designed to dehumanize and discourage good people from seeking public office.

"Our city deserves elected members who uphold the highest standards of respect, honesty, and integrity," Whanau said in a statement. "I am speaking publicly because I believe we must take a stand against these kinds of false, sexist, and personal attacks."

Chung, in a recent interview with RNZ, acknowledged that he might have been more cautious had he known the potential consequences of his email. He expressed willingness to apologize to the mayor if it would help restore trust.

"In hindsight, if that was now, I think we’re more aware of the things that we should or shouldn’t say or the things that we should or shouldn’t pass on. I think that I’m wiser now after a couple of years in council," Chung said.

As the election approaches, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the ethics of political communication and the need for transparency and accountability in public office.