Political Attacks Only Harden Candidates' Resolve
At 14 town hall meetings across the city, we presented our reasoning behind the pillars as well as our strategy for cutting council spending.
Experienced political agitators attended two events, culminating in them attempting to shout down our message and intimidate supporters during our finale at The Grand in Courtenay Place. The political machinations at play have an enormous psychological impact for all of the candidates.
The accompanying media coverage and the scrutiny on the team has been intense. As one very experienced media commentator has already stated, he has never seen such prolonged and vicious media attacks used in the lead up to local body elections before.
The extent of it has been unnerving on our business and community minded candidates. While the team feels the loss of both Andrea Compton and Dan Milward, we acknowledge the impact this is having on both of their families. Politics is extremely challenging for the inexperienced.
Dan Milward says: 'Like many others, I was surprised by the recent allegations and the subsequent media coverage storm. Finally, when my wife was threatened by the agitators at our final roadshow event in Wellington CBD on Tuesday night, I knew it was time to take a different approach.'
Threats and bullying tactics by the political establishment won't work on Independent Together candidates anymore.
We are stronger and even more focused. We remain committed to delivering on our five key pillars for the betterment of Wellington and getting enough independent people around the council table to deliver for residents.
We will put Wellingtonians first, and with Ray Chung for Mayor, can cauterise the financial bleeding.
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NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Wellington mayoral race: Who's in and who's out as candidates confirmed
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Alex Baker Independent Alex Baker is running for Wellington Mayor. Photo / Baker is a former KPMG chartered accountant and most recently worked as a sustainability director at Kāinga Ora. He is also running in the Motukairangi Eastern Ward where he lives with his young family. What are your top three priorities for Wellington if elected? 'Affordability, jobs and sustainability.' How would you describe your politics in one sentence? 'I want to deliver the positive, social outcomes Wellingtonians want, while applying the strong, pragmatic financial management we need.' What do you make of the Wellington mayoral race so far? 'Fairly negative and a beatdown on the city, I want my campaign to bring some positivity to how Wellingtonians feel about the future.' Baker said he is 'largely self-funding' his campaign with some financial support from friends and family. He plans to spend $40,000 on the campaign. Andrew Little Labour Party Former Labour Party leader Andrew Little is running for the Wellington mayoralty. Photo / supplied. Little is a former Labour Party leader and Cabinet Minister. He left Parliament in 2023 and is currently working as a lawyer. He is a long-time Island Bay resident and is not running for a ward seat. What are your top three priorities for Wellington if elected? 'Getting a firmer grip on council spending to keep rates down and free up money to invest in community facilities such as swimming pools and libraries. 'Making our city more affordable by accelerating housing development and making public transport cheaper and more reliable. 'Making the council more transparent and accountable, with community feedback front and centre when decisions are made.' How would you describe your politics in one sentence? 'Progressive, pragmatic left.' What do you make of the Wellington mayoral race so far? 'My campaign so far has been about connecting with Wellingtonians at a grassroots level through stakeholder meetings, one-on-one meetings with community and business leaders and meeting with people in their communities and on their doorsteps. I am hearing incredible stories, dreams and ambitions from people who want a council to listen and work with them.' Little said he plans to spend close to the $60,000 limit in place during the three months leading up to the election. He has committed to releasing a full account of all donations over the $1500 disclosure limit before voting begins. Candidates are only required to do this after voting. He has not publicly disclosed any major backers but a spokesman for his campaign confirmed that Jacinda Ardern had been in touch and 'wished him well'. Ardern would not comment on Little's run. Diane Calvert Independent Wellington City councillor Diane Calvert. Photo / Mark Mitchell Calvert is a third-term Wellington City councillor standing again for a Wharangi Onslow Western ward seat. Born in Liverpool, Britain, she previously ran for the mayoralty in 2019, placing third with 13.8% of the vote. This term, she has advocated for the Khandallah swimming pool to be saved and spoken out against the cycleway rollout. What are your top three priorities for Wellington if elected? 'Reset the Budget, Respect the Ratepayer – get spending under control. 'Get the Basics Right—fix our roads, rubbish, and public spaces. 'Rebuild Trust—a Council that listens, engages, and delivers. 'Backing local business, building and bold ideas -cut the red tape and streamline processes. 'Restoring a Council that listens, engages, and delivers – build back public confidence in the council's ability to deliver what Wellingtonians want." How would you describe your politics in one sentence? 'I'm a pragmatic moderate and not aligned with any party or political group.' What do you make of the Wellington mayoral race so far? 'It's a crowded and diverse field, but with my entry, I hope we shift the focus of the debate to real workable solutions for the city's challenges.' Calvert said she plans to run a 'lean, no-frills campaign', spending only what she raises from donations. She said she would only declare donations after the election as required. Donald McDonald Mcdone waiting 2coming terms Passover Donald McDonald is running for the Wellington mayoralty again. McDonald, also known as Donald Newtown McDonald or Don Newt, has run for Wellington mayor a number of times. He is known in the capital for his cryptic social media posts on community Facebook page Vic Deals and is said to hold the record for filing the most complaints with the Broadcasting Standards Authority. He did not respond to the Herald's questions about his campaign. Joan Shi Independent Joan Shi. Photo / Wellington City Council. Shi ran unsuccessfully in the council's Pukehīnau Lambton Ward by-election last year. She describes herself as an immigrant single mum of two. What are your top three priorities for Wellington if elected? 'Prioritise council spending on core infrastructure and essential services for the community, especially repairing and replacing aging, leaking pipes. 'Provide better and more affordable public transportation. 'Nurturing a business-friendly environment so that Wellington's business can thrive.' How would you describe your politics in one sentence? 'I am listening and ready to solve the problems facing our city.' What do you make of the Wellington mayoral race so far? 'Surprise, surprise, surprise!' Shi said she is her own backer and doesn't intend to spend much on her campaign as she is currently unemployed. Josh Harford Silly Hat Party Josh Harford of the Silly Hat Party is running for the Wellington mayoralty. Harford says he has lived in Wellington all his life and believes the council 'needs less jesting and more Joshing'. What are your top three priorities for Wellington if elected? 'Urgently improving Wellington's weather; Mandating optimism throughout the City Council; Installing a lazy river on Courtney Place.' How would you describe your politics in one sentence? 'Neither left nor right wing, but rather highly serious with two wings.' What do you make of the Wellington mayoral race so far? 'Unfortunately, there are a number of very silly candidates clogging up this race. Serious contenders such as myself and William Pennywize are often drowned out by the bizarre ramblings of Ray Chung, Andrew Little, Karl Teifenbacher and the others.' Harford plans to spend no more than a few hundred dollars on his campaign as he has not received any donations. Karl Tiefenbacher Independent Karl Tiefenbacher serving an ice cream at Kaffee Eis on the Wellington waterfront. Photo / Mark Mitchel Karl Tiefenbacher owns the Wellington coffee and gelato chain Kaffee Eis. Tiefenbacher lives in the CBD but is also running for a Motukairangi Eastern Ward seat. He has previously run for a council seat twice and lost. What are your top three priorities for Wellington if elected? 'Better value from council for Wellingtonians. 'A 'yes' council that supports businesses and drives employment opportunities and vibrancy. 'Rebuilding confidence and pride in our city by ensuring transparency in everything the council does.' How would you describe your politics in one sentence? 'I believe in commonsense centrist policies that support the majority and allows the city to thrive.' What do you make of the Wellington mayoral race so far? 'There has been too much focus on political game playing and not enough on the policies that will turn our city around.' Tiefenbacher is boasting several anonymous 'passionate Wellingtonian backers' who have financially supported his campaign, although he said it is 'largely self-funded'. He plans to spend about $40,000. Kelvin Hastie Independent Wellington mayoral candidate Kelvin Hastie speaking at an event. Kelvin Hastie describes himself as a 'predator free champion' for his conservation work. He ran for the mayoralty in 2022 and placed sixth with 2208 votes. What are your top three priorities for Wellington if elected? 'Pausing High‑Impact Projects & Re-Consulting Infrastructure Plans- pausing major projects—including the Golden Mile redevelopment, the city composting scheme, and the City-to-Sea bridge demolition—so they can be reassessed with fresh consultation. 'Rate Relief via Governance Reform and Regional Amalgamation - reducing rates by amalgamating Wellington with nearby councils (Porirua, Hutt City, Upper Hutt), aiming to eliminate duplication, streamline services, and bring down the cost burden on ratepayers. 'Strategic Social Housing Renewal - a partnership with central government to radically modernise Wellington's social housing stock. Rather than pouring money into aging homes, I want to demolish obsolete properties, offer viable units to first-home buyers, and use proceeds from surplus land for building new, energy-efficient, resilient public housing tailored to today's standards.' How would you describe your politics in one sentence? 'My political outlook is independent, grounded in inclusivity, and oriented toward sustainable, forward-thinking progress.' What do you make of the Wellington mayoral race so far? 'A contest of ideas, pitting bold, community-led innovation (my platform) against more established institutional politics.' Hastie said he has not yet received any donations exceeding $5,000. Ray Chung Independent Together Councillor Ray Chung during a Wellington City Council meeting. Photo / Mark Mitchell Ray Chung is a first-term city councillor running for the mayoralty under a group of independent candidates titled Independent Together. He ran for the mayoralty in 2022 placing fourth with 12,670 votes. He has come under fire for a sexual gossip-filled email he sent about Tory Whanau in 2023. Chung is also running for re-election in the Wharangi Onslow-Western Ward. What are your top three priorities for Wellington if elected? 'A council led by me will work with the other INDEPENDENT TOGETHER and like-minded Councillors to deliver on Zero Rates Increases to make Wellington affordable for all. 'We will make the hard, adult decisions to refocus Council resources towards core priorities and basics, reducing duplicated services, unnecessary gold plating and ensuring residents get value for money. 'We will restore access to the city for all and focus on making it easier for businesses to flourish. Businesses generate jobs for residents and students, and this will bring people back to the city to contribute to prosperity and growth.' How would you describe your politics in one sentence? 'My goal is to get central government Party politics out of council governance and to refocus everyone on the core priorities and basics that only Council can deliver to its residents.' What do you make of the Wellington mayoral race so far? 'I began my campaign early because I understood that to take back the city from the political parties in favour of truly independent councillors required a long runway. The political parties, Labour and Greens in particular, don't want to relinquish their hold on the city's treasury, and that's evident by the number of candidates they're running.' Chung said he has the backing of residents 'across all political, cultural, economy, age, and sex demographics'. He will not proactively disclose donations but has previously said his campaign group had raised between $150,000 - $200,000. He was previously backed by high-profile philanthropist Sir Mark Dunajtschik but he withdrew his support following the email scandal. Rob Goulden Independent Wellington mayoral candidate and former city councillor Rob Goulden. A former police officer and territorial soldier, Rob Goulden served as a Wellington City councillor between 1998 and 2010. Mayor Kerry Prendergast said at the time his aggressive behaviour had become a problem at the council. He now works as a Metlink bus driver and runs a security and protective services company. What are your top three priorities for Wellington if elected? 'Grow the Cities economy by focusing on the things we are good at eg. Film Industry, Arts Culture and Entertainment, Developing Wellington as an IT hub, Tourism and Wellington as a centre of education with our two Universities and potentially other centres of learning. 'Focus on priorities and cut wasteful spending. core business and infrastructure on projects we can afford. Reduce debt and rates to an affordable level. Rates increases will be no greater than the level of inflation. 'Provide Leadership to a City that desperately needs it, scrutinise all expenditure, do things smarter and enhance input from the public with better decision making and better processes and bring back the Vibe Confidence and Investment to Wellington.' How would you describe your politics in one sentence? 'Centrist.' What do you make of the Wellington mayoral race so far? 'It's been a challenge with lack of access to media. Its definitely the dirtiest campaign I have ever been involved with.' Goulden said 'The Campaign Manager and a couple of the team are running the Campaign fund and account' and he has 'nothing to do with it'. Scott Caldwell Scott Caldwell Scott 'Scoot' Caldwell, who lives in Auckland, is running for the Wellington Mayoralty. Caldwell, who also goes by Scoot, lives in Auckland working as a software engineer. He is an advocate for housing intensification. What are your top three priorities for Wellington if elected? 'To be unafraid of growth and change. This is the only way that Wellington can become a city that everyone can enjoy living in. 'To grow our rates base without asking Wellingtonians to dig even deeper into their pockets. This will mean taking on the Beehive. Government buildings do not pay any commercial rates, which impacts the city's bottom line. If you own buildings and run your operation in this city, you have to contribute to the coffers like everyone else. 'To be unapologetic in the rejection of curtain twitchers trapped in the 1980s who hold the city back. We have to embrace affordable housing, great infrastructure and thriving businesses.' How would you describe your politics in one sentence? 'I don't play politics - the Mayor of Wellington needs to be for all Wellingtonians, not just for Wellingtonians with the same political views.' What do you make of the Wellington mayoral race so far? 'It's a pretty poor showing. The city deserves better than yet another former minister looking for a cushy retirement gig.' Caldwell said he is not yet convinced he needs donations to win the mayoralty. William Pennywize Pennywize the Rewilding Clown James Barber is running as William Pennywize in the Wellington Mayoral race. James Barber is running as William Pennywize, a reference to Pennywise the Dancing Clown from the movie adaptations of Stephen King's novel 'It'. The campaign is a satirical jab at Chung's campaign group Independent Together, also called IT. Pennywize recently attended one of the groups events in Newtown. What are your top three priorities for Wellington if elected? 'Make the Basin Swamp Again, daylight all awa as well as genetically engineering giant tuna and moa as part of our new public transport scheme. You will no longer slowly rumble down Adelaide rd on a double decker and be stuck in traffic on Courtney Place you will instead fly along the back of a giant tuna or a resurrected moa.' How would you describe your politics in one sentence? 'Rewilding Wellington will tackle the water crisis, the climate crisis and the wellbeing crisis at the same time; while also just being really cool!' What do you make of the Wellington mayoral race so far? 'The Wellington mayoral race has been a desolate wasteland of visionless moaning about how infrastructure costs money. The Pennywize campaign is a bright oasis of opportunity and aspiration in an otherwise boring and depressing landscape.' Barber said he has received $750.70 in donations and plans to spend every cent. Voting and results Today is the last day to enrol to cast an ordinary vote, those not enrolled after today will have to cast a special vote. Voting opens on 9 September and closes at noon Saturday 11 October. Provisional results will be released the same day with the final results declared Thursday October 16. Ethan Manera is a New Zealand Herald journalist based in Wellington. He joined NZME in 2023 as a broadcast journalist with Newstalk ZB and is interested in local issues, politics, and property in the capital. He can be emailed at
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
'A Fresh, No-Nonsense Vision To Revitalise Wellington': Scott ‘Scoot' Caldwell Announces Mayoral Run
Rejecting '1980s curtain twitchers' and being unafraid to hold Government responsible for the Wellington economy are part of the fresh, no-nonsense vision that Scott Caldwell will bring to the table if elected mayor of Wellington Mr Caldwell, who goes by 'Scoot' rather than Scott, is a name and face Wellingtonians will already be very familiar with given his role at the Scoot Foundation, which boasts a 5000+-strong followership nationwide. A self-confessed outsider, Mr Caldwell visited Wellington for the first time in June 2025 and that trip alone solidified his resolve to run for mayor of New Zealand's capital city. Today, Mr Caldwell has unveiled a fresh, no-nonsense vision to revitalise Wellington. 'The key word here is 'no-nonsense'. Wellington right now is all noise, nonsense and nothing.' He says that it's time for a shake-up. 'Let's stop pouring money into earthquake-prone buildings and start investing in what makes this city thrive.' Generating rates income is high on his agenda, but he has no interest in asking Wellingtonians to dig even deeper into their pockets. 'I'm not afraid to say the quiet part out loud: The Beehive should pay its fair share in commercial rates. If you own buildings and run your operation in this city, you need to be contributing like everyone else. Government exceptionalism has been tolerated by successive councils for far too long.' He is clear that he's not here to play politics but at the same time will not let the city be held hostage by nostalgia & ideology. 'Wellington needs to reject curtain twitchers trapped in the 1980s and embrace growth: for affordable housing, for rates relief, for great infrastructure, for thriving businesses.' As mayor, he will back bold, intelligent development that delivers homes and a city that works. 'The Gordon Wilson site should be replaced with something worthy of our future, and not a crumbling eyesore that - for a decade - has rotted on prime land, and right under the Beehive's nose, while ordinary Wellingtonians go without homes. ' Enough delay. Let's build'.
1News
18-07-2025
- 1News
More candidates quit Ray Chung's campaign group
Two more Wellington council candidates running under the Independent Together ticket have left the group following mayoral candidate Ray Chung's email about Tory Whanau. In a press release, the group confirmed that Andrea Compton and Dan Milward had left their organisation to campaign independently of it. It follows fellow candidate Lily Brown's announcement on Wednesday that she would not run with the group either. She said she did not feel aligned with tactics employed by Better Wellington who has helped run Independent Together. The changes meant that the number of candidates that stood under Independent Together had reduced from nine to six. ADVERTISEMENT In a statement Milward said that he was surprised by "recent allegations and the subsequent media coverage storm". He said that at an Independent Together roadshow event on Tuesday his wife was threatened by "agitators". "I knew it was time to take a different approach. "I'm proud of what we have achieved together but this is the right call for me, my family, and my community — it's time to run the 'Dan Milward Campaign'". Independent Together said the media scrutiny on its team had been intense. "The extent of it has been unnerving on our business and community minded candidates. "While the team feels the loss of both Andrea Compton and Dan Milward, we acknowledge the impact this is having on both of their families." ADVERTISEMENT They said that threats and bullying tactics from "the political establishment won't work on Independent Together candidates anymore". Compton said standing independently offered her the best opportunity to connect directly with her community. "This election is about listening, offering practical solutions, and having the courage to stand by what you believe in." Ray Chung sent an email, seen by RNZ, to three fellow councillors in early 2023 recounting a story he'd been told by his neighbour about the neighbour's son allegedly having a sexual encounter with the mayor. The email surfaced last week. Whanau rejected the contents of the email and said it was false and contained a "malicious and sexist" rumour. She has since received an apology from Chung.
