Ray Chung portrait

Ray Chung

Currently serving: Wharangi/Onslow-Western General Ward, Wellington City Council Independent
Party INDEPENDENT TOGETHER - Vote For IT
Official Candidate Biography

Elected to council in 2022, I’ve spoken with thousands of residents and attended dozens of residential and cultural meetings across the city. Genuine personal engagement and listening to people are how I achieved a successful international career in telecommunications, responsible for multi-million-dollar budgets and managing teams of hard-working people.

Residents have no confidence in the council and want change. The bureaucracy has strayed from core activities, aided by a largely compliant group of councillors.

Many ratepayers feel they’re treated as cash-cows. Rates are beyond affordable for many.

Removal of car parks destroys the retail and hospitality sectors.

I stand with the Independent Together group. Real change requires a majority of committed like-minded people around the council table.

We’ll listen to ratepayers, deliver on zero rate increases by focusing on core priorities and services that only council delivers, and by stopping unnecessary projects.

We will make Wellington affordable for everyone. www.voteforit.nz

Other News and Biography Details

Chaos on Courtenay: Inside Ray Chung’s unruly, incomprehensible campaign rally - The Spinoff


More council candidates quit Ray Chung’s Independent Together campaign group - RNZ


Ray Chung stays in the race after salacious sex claims, believes neighbour’s story - Stuff


"Not everyone followed her advice. The names of Wellington mayoral hopeful Ray Chung and other members of the “Independent Together” ticket were clearly visible during a session focused on media skills. Others now running as candidates are identifiable at various points." - The quiet campaign: Inside the freedom movement’s bid for council influence, The Press

Connect with Ray Chung
Ray Chung’s Elections & Candidacies

Note: This database contains data from the 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014 general elections, the 2025 local government election and is gradually being backfilled with other election data.

Contested 4 races — 2 elected 2 not elected

2025 NZ Local Government • October 11, 2025 Local
  • Mayor
    Wellington City Council
    Affiliation: INDEPENDENT TOGETHER - Vote For IT
    [email protected] 022 065 0088 Ballot name: Ray Chung
    Final Not elected
    Vote share • 10.5%
    8,534 votes
  • Wharangi/Onslow-Western General Ward
    Wellington City Council
    Affiliation: INDEPENDENT TOGETHER - Vote For IT
    [email protected] 022 065 0088 Ballot name: Ray Chung
    Final Elected
    Vote share • 18.6%
    4,496 votes
2022 NZ Local Government • October 8, 2022 Local
  • Mayor
    Wellington City Council
    Affiliation: Independent
    Final Not elected
    Vote share • 14.7%
    12,670 votes
  • Wharangi/Onslow-Western General Ward
    Wellington City Council
    Affiliation: Independent
    Final Elected
    Vote share • 20.8%
    4,401 votes
Offices held
  • Wharangi/Onslow-Western General Ward
    Wellington City Council
    Affiliation: Independent
    Oct 2022 – present
In the News
Tensions boil over at the Post mayoral debate
The Post — September 17, 2025

The Post’s mayoral debate got heated after one of Ray Chung’s staffers made a bid to snatch papers Andrew Little took from Chung after revelations Better Wellington has been cut from Chung’s campaign. Watch the drama unfold in the video.

The Post mayoral debate: Spotlight on the big four
The Post — September 17, 2025

Leading contenders Andrew Little, Karl Tiefenbacher, Diane Calvert and Ray Chung will be grilled by The Post national affairs editor Andrea Vance in a live debate at 3pm today.

Women councillors are experiencing a staggering level of online abuse
The Spinoff — September 16, 2025

Gendered attacks and smear campaigns are pushing women out of local politics – and forcing those who remain to protect themselves.

Better Wellington attacks ‘tarnishing’ Independent Together candidates
The Post — September 15, 2025

A social media post from the group backing Ray Chung’s mayoralty called Green Party councillor Rebecca Matthews a “trans-loving retard” and “grift monkey”. Chung isn’t talking, but another member of his team is distancing herself from the comments.

Q+A Wellington mayoral poll: Andrew Little surges ahead with 58% support
NZ Herald — September 14, 2025

Ray Chung, once the frontrunner, has slipped to 16% amid recent scandal.

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This database currently contains data from the 2025 local government eleciton, and general elections in 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014. It is being backfilled with older data. Please get in touch if you want to help.