Latest news with #ToryWhanau
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Lit-up signs on derelict Reading Cinemas fuel speculation of reopening
Reading Cinemas. Photo: Maxime Vasuta The lights are on but nobody's home? Lit up signs on the derelict Reading Cinemas building in central Wellington has caused speculation on when it might reopen. The cinemas complex on Courtenay Place had sat unused since it was closed due to earthquake risks in 2019. In January it was announced that Primeproperty Group bought the site after a $32 million council deal spearheaded by Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau to buy land underneath the building fell through. In recent weeks, Wellingtonians had noticed that the complex's large signs had been lit up, with many speculating online whether development was around the corner. RNZ approached Primeproperty group and in a statement, it said that it had noticed "a little bit of chatter online about Reading having its lights on overnight". Photo: Maxime Vasuta The company said that it wasn't a sign of an imminent reopening. "We are getting the right people through the venue to commence architectural and design work. "Unfortunately, they left the lights on, which caused a little stir." The statement said that Primeproperty Group was working hard to strengthen the building over the coming months and was working closely with Reading Cinemas to create a "new version of the venue that will excite and entice Wellingtonians". "These things take time and a little more effort than turning the lights back on!" Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
'Woman's voice' Diane Calvert joins Wellington mayoral race
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert says she's running for the mayoralty, saying it is important that a woman's voice is part of the mayoral race. Calvert, a three-time councillor, joins six men vying for the job - including former Labour leader Andrew Little. Current Mayor Tory Whanau ruled herself out of the race in April, saying Little's entry had changed the game. Calvert's announcement comes after a dramatic fortnight in which candidate Ray Chung was accused of dirty tactics after an email leak. Chung had sent the email, seen by RNZ, to three fellow councillors in early 2023 recounting third-hand claims about a sexual encounter with Whanau . Calvert said she had been encouraged to stand for mayor to offer "a credible alternative". She had become increasingly concerned about the way the mayoral campaign had unfolded over the past two weeks. "Like many Wellingtonians, I've had concerns about the tone, the tactics and the lack of focus on the big challenges ahead. That's part of what prompted me to stand for both mayor and my ward. I will bring a steady voice and experienced leadership to the table, both during the campaign and if elected. "I'm not affiliated with any group and will work across the political spectrum to find common ground to move the city forward. It's also important to me that a woman's voice is part of the mayoral race, and one grounded in experience - not noise." Calvert said Wellington faced "one of its most challenging and defining periods" due to the major reform facing local government , and other "key issues" including rates affordability , care of infrastructure and community engagement. "As a three-term councillor, I know the council and how the system works. I also know what needs fixing and how to navigate the challenges ahead." Her campaign's focus would include getting the basics right, respecting ratepayers and "restoring a council that listens, engages and delivers". "This campaign isn't about grand promises - it's about practical, deliverable action that improves life for Wellingtonians. Wellington needs a reset, and I'm ready to lead and collaborate on making that happen." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
How friendly fire torpedoed a mayoral campaign
Ray Chung sent the email with nasty allegations about Whanau in it to three fellow Wellington councillors, but never asked her about the story or verified the gossip with the original source. Photo: Supplied It was shaping up to be a rather dull, straight-forward mayoral race. Current Wellington mayor Tory Whanau had quietly opted not to re-stand, without fuss, making room for a new frontrunner in former Labour minister Andrew Little. The focus was on rate rises, the golden mile, bike lanes, and restoring faith in council leadership. It was safe, steady, and, well, a little dry. But now the capital's mayoral contest has morphed into something else entirely - a bare-knuckle political brawl, drenched in scandal and whispers of dirty politics. "It's just sordid and it's just a bit gross and it's very high school," Joel MacManus, the Wellington editor of the left-leaning The Spinoff, tells The Detail. At the centre of the latest firestorm is mayoral candidate Ray Chung, a self-described straight-shooter whose campaign took a serious hit last week when a leaked email he had written surfaced - one that critics say paints a picture of his manipulation, smear tactics, and a political hit job. "I think Chung is an erratic figure. I've described him as Trump without the tactics, Winston Peters without the wit, and Wayne Brown without the brains," says MacManus, who has been watching the unfolding scandal closely and has written opinion pieces on it. When asked if the email scandal could be called dirty politics, MacManus replied: "You certainly can, but if we are talking about the origin of dirty politics in the way we talk about it, that Nicky Hager book, that was a type of politics that had strategy and tactics and underhandedness. This is, you know, a lot clumsier and stupider than that." Chung sent the email with nasty allegations about Whanau in it to three fellow Wellington councillors, but never asked her about the story or verified the gossip with the original source. Whanau says it is not true; she can prove she was elsewhere on the night named; and she's seeking legal action. The email was leaked to her and she handed it over to the media last week to highlight the abuse she and other female politicians endure. The mayoralty race was now spiced up, front-page news. "Well, the bizarre thing is, it's simultaneously the most boring campaign and the most chaotic one," says MacManus. "Andrew Little could very easily walk this in without proposing anything particularly controversial, without any particularly notable policies, so, in one way it's dull, and yet in another way, it's going to be fascinating because I think there's going to be a lot more rocky stuff to happen, I think there's going to be a lot more interesting chaos and scandals along the way. "I think it is going to be a fun one to watch, even if the outcome is fairly predictable." The email cost Chung an important backer, with rich-list philanthropist Sir Mark Dunajtschik officially withdrawing his support for the mayoral candidate. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has also waded into the scandal, condemning Chung's comments. "That was unacceptable content in that email, really pretty vile and unacceptable stuff," Luxon said. Chung has since apologised to Whanau in an email. In a video released to social media, he admitted he had regrets, but he also claimed to now be a victim in the scandal. But MacManus expects more "dirty politics" in the coming weeks. "I am absolutely expecting more to come out.... just because I think there is a very strong chance that Ray Chung, just knowing who he is as a person and a candidate, will continue to do things like this." Now, as the campaign heats up, the stakes could not be higher. Wellington is not just choosing a mayor. It is choosing what kind of city it wants to be - principled or pragmatic, progressive or proven, forgiving or fed-up. Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here . You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter .
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Ray Chung's email about Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau 'absolutely disgraceful'
Wellington City Councillor Ray Chung. File photo Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Wellington-based MPs have roundly condemned councillor Ray Chung's email about Mayor Tory Whanau , and felt "embarrassed" to be from Wellington. Labour leader and member for Remutaka Chris Hipkins said Chung's comments were "absolutely disgraceful" and it was "undoubtedly true" that women in politics were subjected to more abuse than men in politics. "Women of colour are subjected to a degree even more of abuse, denigration and disrespect, and it isn't acceptable," Hipkins said. "Regardless of someone's party political affiliation, regardless of whether you agree with them or not, there are ways to have these debates that still actually respect the person, and I hope that we can get back to that." Hipkins said social media played a role and people felt more emboldened to make comments from the "protection of their own living room". "When you're sitting at home in your living room, commenting on other people's social media posts or engaging in this sort of debate, ask yourself the fundamental question, 'would I say this to the person if they were standing right in front of me?'" "If the answer to that is no, why are you writing it down?" he said. Labour leader and member for Remutaka Chris Hipkins says Ray Chung's comments were "absolutely disgraceful". Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Hutt South MP Chris Bishop said he felt "embarrassed as a Wellingtonian" and the whole affair was "pathetic". "It really saddens me that local government in, what is New Zealand's second biggest city and a really important city, and my hometown, has descended into this level of ridiculousness," Bishop said. "The city has really big challenges around housing, around transport, around fiscal rectitude, and we spent the last week talking about everything other than those issues." Bishop said Chung was a "rogue" councillor acting in the "most weird way possible". Asked why Wellington struggled to put up credible right-wing candidate, Bishop said he thought there needed to be some "soul searching". Speaking to Labour in the debating chamber, Bishop said he told media six weeks ago mayoral and former Labour MP Andrew Little was a "solid" candidate and would most likely win the election. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it was the "most stupid, silly email". Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Finance Minister Nicola Willis said it was the "most stupid, silly email". Labour's Wellington Issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said the comments were "absolutely disgusting" and ultimately, Wellingtonians would make up their own mind's about Chung's mayoral hopes. "The bigger issue is, who on earth is going to vote for this guy?" Verrall said. "It's so important that Wellingtonians and other New Zealanders feel that there's good representation on offer to them. For the vast majority of elected people, you see people diligently going about their job. Ray Chung is well way out of line with norms in terms of how other politicians behave." Labour's Ginny Andersen said the email was "unprofessional" and "unneeded". "It's good that he has, I understand, apologised to Tory Whanau . That sort of politics is not necessary." Andersen said she was seeing an increase in personal attacks on female politicians and Chung's behaviour looks like "gutter politics".
RNZ News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Ray Chung's 'vile' email condemned across the political spectrum
Ray Chung emailed Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau to apologise this afternoon. Photo: Supplied Both the prime minister and the opposition leader have given scathing rebukes of Wellington councillor Ray Chung's email about Mayor Tory Whanau, saying it is "absolutely disgusting" and calling it "vile and unacceptable." Whanau has rejected the contents of the email, saying it is false and contains "malicious and sexist" rumour. The email - seen by RNZ - was sent to three fellow councillors, recounting a story Chung had been told by his neighbour about the neighbour's son allegedly having a sexual encounter with the mayor. The mayor received an apology from Chung earlier today over the email claims, which he sent to other councillors in 2023, but surfaced last week. Asked about the email in today's post-cabinet media conference, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said first and foremost it was "unacceptable" and "really pretty vile" stuff. Luxon said he did not know Chung, and did not remember meeting him. "I wouldn't be able to tell you who he is or point out who he is." With the upcoming local body elections, Luxon said "you get what you deserve" if you don't show up and vote, and "get good candidates in races". Asked whether Chung should stand down, Luxon replied: "I think the email was entirely inappropriate and utterly unacceptable. "But ultimately, it's up to the fine people of Wellington, who I'm sure will work through who they would like to represent them in that role." Chris Hipkins also criticised the councillor, saying the email was "absolutely disgusting" and there was no place for that content in "good, civilised, democratic debate". "Critiquing an opponent is one thing - those kind of personal, abusive, denigratory messages are just totally unacceptable." Asked whether Chung should stand down, Hipkins said it was a matter for Chung. "But I just think that kind of language should be called out in the strongest possible terms. "It denigrates an opponent. It's undoubtedly sexist, if not misogynist, and I just think there's no place for that in a fair election competition." Meanwhile, Lindsay McKenzie, the Crown Observer assigned to Wellington City Council, said he had made his concerns about the events known to Local Government Minister Simeon Brown as well as Mayor Whanau, councillors and council chief executive Matt Prosser. He said it was likely that the community perceptions of elected members "will be further harmed by what has gone on and will adversely affect the organisation". McKenzie said the strained relationships could undermine the "good work" the council had achieved over the eight months since he was brought in. He said the council still had significant decisions to be made ahead of implementing the amendment to the Long Term Plan and submitting the quality water services delivery plan. "Despite their focus on the election ahead, candidates who are councillors have been reminded that they are still elected members, are still being remunerated and should be focused on the duties and obligations that go with that status. "I have sought reassurances that elected members will stay focused on the interests of the community they are there to serve," McKenzie said. McKenzie said his role with the council would finish at the end of this month and he had no part in the "the formal pre-election period or in relation to electioneering". "I do have a stake in seeing that the gains of the past seven months or so are not lost and Council successfully navigates its way to the end of this term of office," McKenzie said. Prosser confirmed "a number of complaints" had been made against Chung following the revelations. "A number of complaints against the elected member have been received, including some complaints under Wellington City Council's Code of Conduct. Those complaints are currently being reviewed," Prosser said. - additional reporting by RNZ staff Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
