Scrutiny Intensifies Over Ray Chung’s Independent Together Campaign Spending

The election campaign of Wellington City councillor Ray Chung and his group, Independent Together, is facing renewed scrutiny following the leak of bank statements that indicate significant undeclared spending. The documents, obtained by The Post, cover the group’s financial activities from the account’s opening in March through to two weeks after the local body elections held on October 13, 2025.

Chung, who was the only candidate from Independent Together to secure a council seat after an unsuccessful bid for mayor, is now under pressure to clarify the financial conduct of his campaign. While all donations exceeding $1,500 were reportedly declared, a notable $40,000 donation from property developer Vlad Barbalich is absent from both the bank statements and official declarations. Barbalich has previously supported the freedom party, DemocracyNZ, and is now aligned with NZ First.

The bank statements reveal expenditures of $36,777 to billboard company Jolly and $17,434 to software firm Bidbuy. In contrast, the combined declared spending for Independent Together candidates and their supporting group, Better Wellington, amounts to just $6,913 with Jolly and $11,695 with Bidbuy.

Legal Implications and Reactions

According to election regulations, all campaign spending during the designated three-month election period must be declared. Any expenses incurred prior to this period must be proportionally reported if they provide ongoing benefits during the election. For instance, if a billboard is displayed for the final four months, approximately three-quarters of its cost should be declared.

The penalties for violating these spending limits, which are set at $60,000 for mayoral candidates and $20,000 to $30,000 for ward candidates, can include a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to two years. Unintended violations could result in fines of up to $5,000.

In response to the allegations, Chung denies responsibility for how the donations were utilized, stating he was mistaken in his previous claims regarding Barbalich’s contributions. Alistair Boyce from Better Wellington was contacted for further comments but has not provided a statement.

Local Government Minister Simon Watts expressed concern over the potential undermining of electoral integrity if candidates are found to have engaged in deliberate misconduct. He indicated that any breaches should be reported to law enforcement, stating, “I cannot intervene in how an election is run or in enforcement decisions. However, I am closely monitoring the situation to ensure the integrity of the electoral process is upheld.”

Calls for Transparency and Accountability

Rebecca Matthews, a Green councillor, highlighted the significant spending by Independent Together compared to other mayoral campaigns, stating that the accounts raise “unanswered” questions about spending transparency. She emphasized that compliance with campaign finance rules is crucial for maintaining electoral integrity.

Former Wellington mayor and current Green Party Local Government spokesperson, Celia Wade-Brown, voiced her party’s commitment to reducing the influence of large donations in politics. She stated, “Large undisclosed donations reduce transparency. Breaching spending limits or under-reporting is unfair and undemocratic.”

Labour duty MP Rachel Brooking echoed these sentiments, asserting the necessity for adherence to electoral laws to preserve public trust. Meanwhile, electoral officer Warwick Lampp reported no complaints regarding Independent Together’s financial declarations and indicated that any future complaints would be directed to the police for investigation.

As this situation unfolds, the implications for Chung and Independent Together could significantly influence their political futures and the broader landscape of Wellington’s electoral integrity.