New Scrutiny on Ray Chung’s Independent Together Election Spending

Wellington City councillor Ray Chung and his political group, Independent Together (IT), are facing renewed scrutiny following the emergence of leaked bank statements. These documents suggest significant undeclared campaign spending during the recent local elections. The statements, obtained by The Post, detail financial activities from the group’s account opening in March through to two weeks after the October 13, 2025 local body election.

Chung, who was the only IT candidate to secure a council seat despite an unsuccessful mayoral campaign, has been at the centre of these allegations. While all donations exceeding $1,500 were reportedly declared, a notable $40,000 donation claimed by Chung during a mayoral debate is conspicuously absent from official records. This donation was purportedly from Vlad Barbalich, a property developer who has previously funded political initiatives for DemocracyNZ and is now affiliated with NZ First.

The financial records reveal that IT spent $36,777 on services from billboard company Jolly and $17,434 with software development firm Bidbuy. In contrast, the officially declared spending for IT candidates and the affiliated group Better Wellington was significantly lower, amounting to $6,913 with Jolly and $11,695 with Bidbuy.

Election Spending Rules Under Review

Under current election regulations, all campaign expenditures during the three-month election period must be declared. Spending incurred prior to this period must be proportionally allocated if the benefits extend into the campaign. For example, a billboard used during the election period would require a substantial portion of its cost to be declared. The legal spending limits are set at $60,000 for mayoral candidates and $20,000 to $30,000 for ward candidates. Violations of these limits could result in significant penalties, including fines of up to $10,000 and potential jail time of up to two years for intentional breaches.

In response to the leaked statements, Chung stated that he had “nothing to do with how any of the donations were spent.” He later acknowledged a mistake regarding the alleged $40,000 donation from Barbalich.

Local Government Minister Simon Watts expressed concern over the potential implications of these revelations. He noted that if candidates are found to have intentionally undermined electoral integrity, they should be referred to the police. “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,” he said.

Reactions from Political Figures

Wellington City councillor Rebecca Matthews raised alarms regarding the spending patterns of IT, indicating that the group’s campaign expenditures exceeded those of any other mayoral campaign in 2025. Matthews highlighted that the accounts left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding adherence to financial regulations.

Former Wellington mayor and current Green Party Local Government spokesperson Celia Wade-Brown criticized the impact of undisclosed donations on electoral transparency. “Breaching the spending limits or under-reporting, as may have occurred here, is unfair and undemocratic,” she remarked, emphasizing that financial influence should not dictate electoral outcomes.

Labour duty MP Rachel Brooking reinforced the necessity for compliance with electoral laws to maintain public trust. Meanwhile, electoral officer Warwick Lampp confirmed that he had not received any formal complaints about IT’s financial declarations but stated he would refer any complaints to the police for further investigation.

As the situation develops, IT’s financial practices remain under the microscope, raising critical questions about the integrity of the electoral process in Wellington and the broader implications for political financing in New Zealand.