The outgoing市长Whanau has decided to step down from the Wellington City Mayoral campaign, sparking attention among voters and media. Whanau stated she will focus on other public affairs rather than running for mayor, becoming the first former mayor in 1984 to withdraw from a campaign.

Whanau's withdrawal has had a significant impact on the race. Currently, Ray Chung is one of the few candidates making clear he supports Whanau. Chung said Whanau's withdrawal was not surprising and believes she would benefit from collaborating with her. However, Chung also acknowledged that if Whanau continued running, she might be more likely to win.

At the same time, the Independent Together Party (ITP) is working hard to gain more voter support. The party has registered 11 candidates so far and emphasizes reducing waste, controlling costs, and stabilizing life.

The Wellington City election will take place on October 11, 2025. Nomination for candidates will begin on July 4, 2023, and conclude on August 1, 2023. Both Chung and Whanau have expressed their commitment to continuing their efforts to secure voter support and aim for future success.

Whanau's decision has also contributed to a more diverse term of Wellington City mayors. Dame Kerry Prendergast, a former市长, commented that having three consecutive mayors with only one-term appointments is not stable, urging measures to improve the city.