{{Short description|City councillor in Wellington, New Zealand}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Ray Chung | image = Ray Chung official portrait 2025–2028 WCC term.jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2025 | office1 = Wellington city councillor for the{{br}}Wharangi/Onslow-Western general ward | term_start1 = 15 October 2022 | term_end1 = | successor1 = Incumbent | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|75|2025|July|14}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Joel |last=MacManus |title=Windbag: Ray Chung has never been fit for office |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/14-07-2025/windbag-ray-chung-has-never-been-fit-for-office |publisher=The Spinoff |date=14 July 2025 |access-date=11 August 2025 }}</ref> | birth_place = | party = Independent Together | alma_mater = | alongside1 = Diane Calvert (2022–present), Rebecca Matthews (2022–present)<ref>{{cite web|title=2025 Elections – Western Ward Results|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/2025-elections/results/western|website=Wellington City Council|publisher=Wellington City Council|access-date=1 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wellington City Council 2022 Triennial Elections – Final STV Result |url=https://wellington.govt.nz/-/media/your-council/elections/2022/wellington-city-council-2022-triennial-elections---final-stv-result.pdf |website=Wellington City Council |publisher=Wellington City Council |date=2022 |format=PDF |access-date=1 November 2025}}</ref> }}
'''Rayward Chung'''<ref name="Vote for it">{{cite web|title=Ray Chung|url=https://voteforit.nz/Candidate/ray-chung/|website=voteforit.nz|access-date=24 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718101139/https://voteforit.nz/Candidate/ray-chung/|archive-date=18 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> is a New Zealand politician. He was elected to the Wellington City Council as a councillor for the Wharangi/Onslow-Western general ward at the 2022 election and again in the 2025 election,<ref name="Wong 17 Nov 2022">{{cite news|first=Felicity|last=Wong|title=Getting to know them|url=https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=148864|publisher=Scoop|date=17 November 2022|access-date=24 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123102353/https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=148864|archive-date=23 November 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-02 |title=Wharangi / Onslow-Western Ward |url=https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/2025-elections/results/western |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Wellington City Council |language=en-NZ}}</ref> having also stood unsuccessfully for mayor both years.<ref name="Gourley 26 Apr 2022">{{cite news|first=Erin|last=Gourley|title=Ray Chung wants to bring business sense to Wellington's mayoralty|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/128428942/ray-chung-wants-to-bring-business-sense-to-wellingtons-mayoralty|work=The Post|publisher=Stuff|date=26 April 2022|access-date=24 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723023628/https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/128428942/ray-chung-wants-to-bring-business-sense-to-wellingtons-mayoralty|archive-date=23 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hickman 14 May 2024">{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Hickman|title=Wellington City Councillor Ray Chung announces second mayoralty bid|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/516759/wellington-city-councillor-ray-chung-announces-second-mayoralty-bid|work=Radio New Zealand|date=14 May 2024|access-date=24 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711003949/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/516759/wellington-city-councillor-ray-chung-announces-second-mayoralty-bid|archive-date=11 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-02 |title=Mayor |url=https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/2025-elections/results/mayor |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Wellington City Council |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
==Early life and career== Ray Chung grew up in Wellington's Te Aro suburb in a Chinese New Zealander family of nine children.<ref name="Wong 17 Nov 2022" /><ref name="Multicultural Times">{{cite web|title=Ray Chung - Candidate for Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward|url=https://multiculturaltimes.news/profiles/2019/9/22/ray-chung-candidate-for-wharangionslow-western-ward|website=multiculturaltimes.news|date=22 September 2019|access-date=24 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250811054439/https://multiculturaltimes.news/profiles/2019/9/22/ray-chung-candidate-for-wharangionslow-western-ward|archive-date=11 August 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> His maternal grandfather migrated from Zengcheng, China in 1895, followed by his wife (Chung's grandmother) in 1915, and settled down in Wellington. His mother was born in Wellington in 1917, while his father migrated from China in 1920 at the age of 17. They owned a herbalist business near their home on Jessie Street.<ref name="Multicultural Times" />
Chung worked for Telecom New Zealand, building and maintaining telephone exchanges. He later studied business at Massey University, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in commerce and later a diploma in international business.<ref name="Multicultural Times" /> After graduating, Chung worked as an engineer and a salesman.<ref name="Wong 17 Nov 2022" /> Chung later worked for several international telecommunications and technology companies including Siemens, Hansaluftbild, Trimble Inc.,<ref name="Gourley 26 Apr 2022"/> the Andrew Corporation, Graseby Goring-Kerr, and Ericsson.<ref name="Vote for it" /> Chung also lived in the United States, Sweden, Germany and the United Kingdom.<ref name="Vote for it" /> He credited his time in Münster with inspiring his interest in local government politics and civics.<ref name="Wong 17 Nov 2022" />
==Local government== Chung ran as a councillor for the Wellington City Council during the 2016 and 2019 local body elections.<ref name="Hickman 14 May 2024" /> He co-founded the Onslow Residents and Community Association (ORCA) in 2017, serving as vice-president for at least two terms.<ref name="Multicultural Times" /><ref name="Vote for it" /><ref name="Gourley 26 Apr 2022"/> ORCA lobbied for the Greater Wellington Regional Council to install more lamp posts and bus stops in the suburbs of Broadmeadows, Khandallah and Kaiwharawhara.<ref name="Multicultural Times" /><ref name="Gourley 26 Apr 2022"/>
During the 2019 Wellington City Council election, Chung campaigned on reducing rates and council spending, opposed housing intensification, and advocated greater Council transparency in dealings with private interests.<ref name="Multicultural Times" />
===First term, 2022–2025=== thumb|147x147px|Official portrait, 2022 During the 2022 Wellington City Council election, Chung was elected as the councillor for the Wharangi/Onslow-Western general ward.<ref name="Wong 17 Nov 2022" /> He also ran for the position of Mayor of Wellington, coming fourth place with 12,670 votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Election 2022: Final results for the position of Mayor |date=14 October 2022 |url=https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/past-election-results/2022-elections/results/mayor |publisher=Wellington City Council |access-date=9 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711054837/https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/past-election-results/2022-elections/results/mayor |archive-date=11 July 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Joel |last=MacManus |title=Could Ray Chung really be the mayor of Wellington? |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/27-05-2024/could-ray-chung-really-be-the-mayor-of-wellington |publisher=The Spinoff |date=27 May 2025 |access-date=11 August 2025 }}</ref>
In December 2024, Chung and fellow councillors Tony Randle and Nicola Young voted against the Wellington City Council's motion opposing the ACT party's Treaty Principles Bill. Chung filed a code of conduct complaint against Cr Teri O'Neill after she accused them of espousing anti-Māori racism in their objections to the motion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Tom |title=Complaint after Wellington City councillor's 'racist' comment |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360526438/complaint-after-wellington-city-councillors-racist-comment |access-date=12 August 2025 |work=The Post |date=18 December 2024|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
===2025 election campaign=== {{Main|Independent Together}} In mid April 2024, Chung co-founded a centre-right electoral ticket called Independent Together, which campaigned on a platform of zero rates increases, cutting council expenditure and reinstating lost car parks. Chung stood as both a councillor and mayoral candidate.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Wellington.Scoop |title=Eleven candidates promise zero WCC rates increases |url=https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=169476 |website=Scoop |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726031526/https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=169476 |archive-date=26 July 2025 |date=10 April 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Tom |title=Wellington political group pledges no rates rises, can't say how |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360652215/wellington-political-group-pledges-no-rates-rises-cant-say-how |access-date=12 August 2025 |work=The Post |date=14 April 2025|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Chung has also opposed the Wellington City Council providing social housing (regarding it as a central government responsibility) and advocated reducing the number of cycleways in the Wellington CBD.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ricketts |first1=Emma |title=Where Wellington's mayoral candidates stand on the big issues |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360656609/where-wellingtons-mayoral-candidates-stand-big-issues |access-date=12 August 2025 |work=Stuff |date=17 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724181201/https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360656609/where-wellingtons-mayoral-candidates-stand-big-issues |archive-date=24 July 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> In response, Mayor of Wellington Tory Whanau defended the council's rate increases as a response to decades of "under-investment" in public infrastructure and utilities.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ricketts |first1=Emma |title=The Wellington council candidates promising to freeze rates, but they won't say how |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360654346/wellington-council-candidates-promising-freeze-rates-they-wont-say-how |access-date=12 August 2025 |work=Stuff |date=16 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416044434/https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360654346/wellington-council-candidates-promising-freeze-rates-they-wont-say-how |archive-date=16 April 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Chung has positioned himself as a pro-business candidate who would not raise council rates, claiming that his opponents Whanau and former Labour cabinet minister Andrew Little would raise taxes and council spending.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Ray |title=Candidates Corner: Ray Chung on standing up to 'tax and spend' |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360658590/candidates-corner-ray-chung-standing-tax-and-spend |access-date=12 August 2025 |work=Sunday Star Times |date=20 April 2025|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Tom |title=Wellington mayoral race: Chung throws shade at 'Little' experience |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360669212/wellington-mayoral-race-chung-throws-shade-little-experience |access-date=12 August 2025 |work=The Post |date=29 April 2025|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
In May 2024, Chung confirmed that he would be running for the Mayor of Wellington at the 2025 Wellington mayoral election.<ref name="Hickman 14 May 2024" /> On 6 June 2025, Chung formally launched his mayoral campaign. Though Chung ruled out cutting "core council services" such as parks, swimming pools, libraries, community facilities, he indicated he was open to slashing Council staff numbers including its climate change team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wellington mayoral hopeful Ray Chung promises to slash council jobs |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/563266/wellington-mayoral-hopeful-ray-chung-promises-to-slash-council-jobs |access-date=9 August 2025 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=6 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711003949/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/563266/wellington-mayoral-hopeful-ray-chung-promises-to-slash-council-jobs |archive-date=11 July 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Tom |last2=Laughton |first2=Harriet |title=Wellington mayoral candidate pledges to cut council services but won't say which |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360718250/wellington-mayoral-candidate-pledges-cut-council-services-wont-say-which |access-date=12 August 2025 |work=The Post |date=13 June 2025|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
In October 2025, Chung lost the 2025 Wellington mayoral election to former Labour Party leader Andrew Little.<ref name=":0" /> Chung was the only Independent Together candidate who was elected to the Wellington City Council. He was elected as the third-place councillor for the Wharangi/Onslow-Western general ward, receiving just 44.51 votes more than fourth-placed Labour candidate Joy Gribben.<ref>{{cite web |title=2025 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT |url=https://www.electionz.com/LGE2025Results/ELT47WG25_Result.pdf |website=www.electionz.com |publisher=Wellington City Council |access-date=17 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Nick |title=Wellington councillor Ray Chung re-elected with a margin of 45 votes |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/576199/wellington-councillor-ray-chung-re-elected-with-a-margin-of-45-votes |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=RNZ |date=17 October 2025 |language=en-nz}}</ref>
====July 2025 email controversy==== On 11 July 2025, Radio New Zealand reported that Chung had shared in 2023 an email with three other councillors about an alleged sexual encounter between mayor Tory Whanau and a third party. Chung said he had no idea if the rumour was true but found it "interesting" so shared it without fact checking.<ref name="RNZ 11 Jul 2025">{{Cite news |date=11 July 2025 |title=Ray Chung defends sending gossip about Tory Whanau to other councillors |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566607/ray-chung-defends-sending-gossip-about-tory-whanau-to-other-councillors |work=Radio New Zealand}}</ref><ref name="NZH 10 Jul 2025">{{Cite news |last=Fisher |first=David |date=10 July 2025 |title=Exclusive: Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung's sex and drugs gossip about Tory Whanau |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/exclusive-wellington-mayoral-candidate-ray-chungs-sex-and-drugs-gossip-about-tory-whanau/YIEIRU6J3FF7POYARBERTAW6FA/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250710194941/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/exclusive-wellington-mayoral-candidate-ray-chungs-sex-and-drugs-gossip-about-tory-whanau/YIEIRU6J3FF7POYARBERTAW6FA/#selection-3706.0-3706.1 |archive-date=10 July 2025 |work=New Zealand Herald}}</ref> The three councillors that received the email were Tony Randle, Nicola Young and John Apanowicz. Young described the email as "unwise and tawdry" at the time while Randle did not believe the email ruled out Chung as a candidate. Apanowicz said he did not recall receiving the email, but that the rumours about mayor Whanau "upset" him.<ref name="NZH 10 Jul 2025" />
The Mayor's Office confirmed Whanau had provided the controversial email to media,<ref name="RNZ 14 Jul 2025">{{cite news|title=Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says she has received apology from Ray Chung|work=Radio New Zealand|first1=Krystal|last1=Gibbens|date=14 July 2025|access-date=17 July 2025|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/566854/wellington-mayor-tory-whanau-says-she-has-received-apology-from-ray-chung|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714043154/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/566854/wellington-mayor-tory-whanau-says-she-has-received-apology-from-ray-chung|archive-date=14 July 2025|language=en|url-status=live}}</ref> and Whanau herself later revealed she had been in possession of the email for a few months; following the dossier and rumours about her being spread online by Graham Bloxham, another mayoral candidate, she felt it appropriate to share the email publicly.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Laughton |first=Harriet |date=18 July 2025 |title=Tory Whanau on why she shared Ray Chung's email |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360760827/tory-whanau-why-she-shared-ray-chungs-email |access-date=9 August 2025 |work=The Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717195138/https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360760827/tory-whanau-why-she-shared-ray-chungs-email|archive-date=17 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> Whanau released a public statement, condemning the email and saying she was seeking legal advice against both Chung and Bloxham, for spreading "malicious, sexist rumours" over the course of her term.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGregor |first=Catherine |date=14 July 2025|title=Chung's non-apology deepens storm over sexist smear campaign |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/14-07-2025/chungs-non-apology-deepens-storm-over-sexist-smear-campaign |access-date=15 July 2025 |website=The Spinoff |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716160831/https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/14-07-2025/chungs-non-apology-deepens-storm-over-sexist-smear-campaign|archive-date=16 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
Chung described Whanau's release of the email as a "blatant political attack".<ref name="RNZ 14 Jul 2025" /> Following the email's release, ''The Post'' revealed that Chung had been urged by members of his IT team to step back from the campaign out of concern for his mental wellbeing.<ref name="The Post 11 Jul 2025">{{Cite news |last=Hunt |first=Tom |date=11 July 2025 |title=Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung urged to take break amid horror week |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360753945/wellington-mayoral-candidate-ray-chung-advised-take-step-back-over-health-concerns |access-date=10 July 2025 |work=The Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717043600/https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360753945/wellington-mayoral-candidate-ray-chung-advised-take-step-back-over-health-concerns|archive-date=17 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> A representative for Better Wellington claimed Chung had been receiving abusive late night phone calls which had left him exhausted and was the reason he "sometimes talks waffle."<ref name="The Post 11 Jul 2025" />
Following the email, Chung initially said he would not apologise to Whanau as the email was never intended for her,<ref name="NZH 10 Jul 2025" /> and because "she had never apologised to him", including over an incident two years prior when she chose not to give him proxy votes at a Local Government NZ conference.<ref name="The Post 11 Jul 2025" /> Chung later backtracked and apologised to Whanau via a video statement and an email.<ref name="RNZ 14 Jul 2025" /> Chung's 2023 email was condemned by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Leader of the Opposition Chris Hipkins, and Wellington mayoral candidate and former Labour cabinet minister Andrew Little.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 July 2025 |title=Ray Chung's 'vile' email condemned across the political spectrum |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566873/ray-chung-s-vile-email-condemned-across-the-political-spectrum |access-date=15 July 2025 |work=Radio New Zealand |language=en-nz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717034914/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566873/ray-chung-s-vile-email-condemned-across-the-political-spectrum|archive-date=17 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RNZ 11 Jul 2025" /> In addition, the philanthropist Mark Dunajtschik, who had previously supported the Independent Together campaign financially, withdrew his support following the email controversy.<ref>{{citation |last1=Manera |first1=Ethan |title=Sir Mark Dunajtschik withdraws support for Ray Chung after 'dirty politics' sex gossip email |date=2025-07-11 |work=NZ Herald |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/sir-mark-dunajtschik-withdraws-support-for-ray-chung-after-dirty-politics-sex-gossip-email/GTMETSVYDRALXKP6KTLJQGYFWU/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711021520/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/sir-mark-dunajtschik-withdraws-support-for-ray-chung-after-dirty-politics-sex-gossip-email/GTMETSVYDRALXKP6KTLJQGYFWU/ |archive-date=2025-07-11 |language=en}}</ref> In addition, five Independent Together candidates Phil McConchie, Mike Petrie, Melissa Moore, Rebecca Shepherd and Lily Brown withdrew from the ticket.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manera |first1=Ethan |date=16 July 2025 |title=Chung's campaign group loses candidate amid email scandal |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington-mayoralty-candidate-ray-chungs-campaign-group-loses-candidate-lily-brown-amid-email-scandal/GHE2AGZNBZAB5GCBTZMAJALL4I/ |access-date=17 July 2025 |work=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250722072606/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington-mayoralty-candidate-ray-chungs-campaign-group-loses-candidate-lily-brown-amid-email-scandal/GHE2AGZNBZAB5GCBTZMAJALL4I/|archive-date=22 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Second term, 2025–present=== In November 2025, Mayor Andrew Little appointed Chung as chair of the council-controlled organisations committee. The four Green-aligned councillors criticised Chung's nomination due to his smear campaign against the previous Mayor Whanau but agreed to support Little's nomination in the "interests of being constructive partners."<ref name="McNamus 25 Nov 2025">{{cite news |last1=McNamus |first1=Joel |title=Andrew Little buddies up to the right |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/25-11-2025/andrew-little-buddies-up-to-the-right |access-date=29 November 2025 |work=The Spinoff |date=25 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251129194955/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/25-11-2025/andrew-little-buddies-up-to-the-right |archive-date=29 November 2025}}</ref>
In late November 2025, Chung joined Little, the Labour-aligned councillors and independent conservatives in voting to review the contentious Golden Mile pedestrianisation project for three to six months. The motion passed by a margin of 12 to 4 votes, with the Green councillors opposing it.<ref name="McNamus 25 Nov 2025" />
==Personal life== Chung lives in Broadmeadows with his wife, two dogs and a cat.<ref name="Vote for it" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Councillor Ray Chung|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/about-the-council/mayor-and-councillors/councillors/ray-chung|website=wellington.govt.nz|date=15 April 2025 |publisher=Wellington City Council|access-date=24 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713010003/https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/about-the-council/mayor-and-councillors/councillors/ray-chung|archive-date=13 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Electoral history == === Wellington City Council === ==== 2025 Wharangi/Onslow-Western general ward election ==== {{Transcluded section|source=Results of the 2025 New Zealand territorial authority elections in Greater Wellington#Wellington City Council|part=yes}} {{:Results of the 2025 New Zealand territorial authority elections in Greater Wellington|transcludesection=WellingtonWharangiOnslowWestern}}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chung, Ray}} Category:Living people Category:Massey University alumni Category:New Zealand people of Chinese descent Category:Wellington City Councillors Category:People from Wellington City Category:Year of birth missing (living people)