A political spat between Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau and mayoral candidate Ray Chung over a leaked email has been resolved, according to the council’s chief executive.
Whanau confirmed she had agreed there was no need for a formal investigation into the incident but warned any further sharing of “malicious rumours” would be met by legal action.
Several council candidates running under Chung’s Independent Together collective left the group last week after it was revealed that Chung had sent an email to three councillors in 2023 discussing a rumour he’d heard regarding the mayor by his neighbour about the neighbour’s son.
The claims were described as a “malicious and sexist rumour” by Whanau.
In a statement today, Wellington City Council chief executive Matt Prosser responded to several code of conduct complaints against Chung.
Prosser said he informed 10 complainants that the matter had been brought to a close after speaking with Chung and Whanau.
“I have spoken to councillor Chung, who has told me that he understands that the email constituted a lapse of personal judgement and failed to show respect for others in his role as councillor,” he said in the written response to complainants and elected members.
“As a result, councillor Chung has issued a personal apology to the Mayor to acknowledge this and the harm caused.”
He said Whanau had accepted Chung’s apology and did not want a code of conduct investigation.
Prosser said the Mayor wanted the council to return to being focused on “working as a cohesive council to deliver for the city for the remainder of the triennium”.
“I wish to be clear that, in doing so, I am respecting the wishes of the Mayor and that personally, I do not condone this behaviour,” he said.
Prosser said elected members after the upcoming local body elections would receive an induction “highlighting the importance of good conduct in their role as an elected member of the council”.
“I am working with senior members of my team to ensure that this onboarding is as thorough as possible,” he said.
‘Be warned’: Whanau considers legal action over ‘malicious’ rumours
Whanau said in a statement to 1News on Friday afternoon that she decided against proceeding with a formal investigation — due to the projected cost to ratepayers of $80,000.
“My priority is to continue working collaboratively with the council to deliver for out city’s betterment.”
However, she warned those she said were “actively spreading false and malicious rumours” about her that she was “considering legal action”.
“This behaviour, targeting me and other women leaders, is unacceptable and will be actively called out.”
