Independent Together

The group was formed by incumbent Wellington city councillor Ray Chung. The key promise made by the group is that they will not increase rates in the following term, if elected.{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Tom |date=14 April 2025 |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=2 June 2025 |work=The Post }} As of April 2025, the group had yet to decide what would be cut to achieve this.{{cite news |last1=Ricketts |first1=Emma |date=16 April 2025 |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=2 June 2025 |work=www.stuff.co.nz}} Talking to RNZ's Morning Report in June, Chung was not yet firm on what would be cut, only stressing that it would not be essential services.{{Cite web |date=6 June 2025 |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 |website=Radio New Zealand}} He mentioned cutting council payroll, saying he had "no idea what a lot of these people do." Chung himself would personally campaign against the Golden Mile project.

Rates in the city had more than doubled in the previous decade, and were forecast to increase each year for the next decade. In the council's proposed Long-Term Plan, increases of 12.2% for the 2025/26 financial year were expected. This would rise to 8% in the next year and then to 9% for the following two years. Reasons for these increases included insurance costs, transport projects, under investment in pipes and social housing upgrades, as well as general cost blow outs.

Incumbent Green mayor Tory Whanau and other left of centre city councillors rebutted the group's stance on rates increases, with councillor Rebecca Matthews going as far to say that the claim that city services could be maintained while achieving zero rates increases was "a lie". Andrew Little, fellow mayoral candidate and former Leader of the Labour Party, called the no-rates-increases policy "not credible".

The group would campaign on ensuring council is only funding the "basics" (water infrastructure, rubbish collection, parks, and roads), bringing back "accessibility" to the city by restoring removed car parks, and making the city safer. The group would also campaign on opposing party politics on the city council. Chung says he has never belonged to any political party. Playwright and satirist Dave Armstrong, in an op-ed for The Post, mocked what he saw as an oxymoronic contradiction; a political group forming to oppose political groups. He likened it to previous "independent" groups of right wing councillors.{{Cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Dave |date=15 April 2025 |title=Wellington City Council and the power of independent thinking |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360653641/wellington-city-council-and-power-independent-thinking |website=The Post}}

According to Chung, some of his colleagues had stated that the group was "a right-wing party" but he rejected this, saying he didn't know what the political affiliations of any of the candidates were.

Chung held his mayoral campaign launch in June at the Public Trust Building to a crowd of over 200 people.{{Cite web |last=Ridout |first=Amy |date=5 June 2025 |title=‘Underdog’ Ray Chung launches Wellington mayoral bid vowing zero rates hikes |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360713037/underdog-ray-chung-launches-wellington-mayoral-bid-vowing-zero-rates-hikes |website=Stuff}} Philanthropist Mark Dunajtschik and former National MP Aaron Gilmore were in attendance.{{Cite web |last=Manera |first=Ethan |date=6 June 2025 |title=Ray Chung launches Wellington mayoral campaign |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ray-chung-launches-wellington-mayoral-campaign/2OEG22NPRNFODD44RT5RAENT5I/ |website=New Zealand Herald}} Alistair Boyce of Better Wellington launched the event, saying the mayoral race was a two-horse race; "It's a Little versus honest Ray" he said. Broadcaster Peter Williams introduced Chung. Williams criticised "abhorrent" and "undemocratic" mana whenua representation on local councils. A video of old footage of Wellington (Lord of the Rings red carpets and CubaDupa dancing) was contrasted with newer footage (vacant stores and empty streets). Chung, in a voiceover, talked about his career and the need for "more common sense" and "better financial management". Boyce welcomed Chung to the stage, saying he was the "hope for the downtrodden ratepayer" and a "nemesis of the deep state".

Chung reiterated his commitment to zero rates increases. He supported a smaller council and growing Wellington's population. Chung claimed the city council was paying $2 million a week servicing its debts. Councillor Geordie Rogers claimed that this figure was wrong and that it was actually $1.2m a week, which the council confirmed was correct. Chung admitted the number used in his speech was incorrect.{{cite news |last=Hunt |first=Tom |title=Wellington mayoral candidate admits $42m misstep over debt numbers |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360713102/wellington-mayoral-candidate-admits-42m-misstep-over-debt-numbers |work=The Post |date=9 June 2025 |access-date=9 June 2025 }}

The group's campaign manager is Libby Carson.

A Curia poll in February had Chung as the candidate with the most name recognition and with the highest approval rating, though this was before Andrew Little entered the race and before Tory Whanau dropped out.{{Cite web |last=Waiwiri-Smith |first=Lyric |date=29 April 2025 |title=Tory Whanau drops out of mayoral race |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/29-04-2025/tory-whanau-drops-out-of-mayoral-race |website=The Spinoff}}

The group was endorsed by Better Wellington,{{Cite web |last=Boyce |first=Alistair |date=13 April 2025 |title=‘Better Wellington’ endorses Ray Chung and ten independent candidates |url=https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=169559 |website=Scoop}} a right-wing campaign group.{{Cite web |last=Manera |first=Ethan |date=27 May 2025 |title=Wellington’s Crown Observer issues warning over party politics round the council table |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingtons-crown-observer-issues-warning-over-party-politics-round-the-council-table/WWZQQVB3PJEL3J52NM4JW7JKDI/ |website=New Zealand Herald}}

In June, Chung stated that he had received between $150,000 and $200,000 in donations, with "in the range of $20-$25K" coming from philanthropist Mark Dunajtschik.{{Cite web |last=Manera |first=Ethan |date=19 June 2025 |title=Rich-lister philanthropist Mark Dunajtschik bankrolling Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rich-lister-philanthropist-mark-dunajtschik-bankrolling-wellington-mayoral-candidate-ray-chung/2YO562FX3RBW7M2LRFJK4YRSTQ/ |website=New Zealand Herald}}

Independent Together and Chung have been accused of having links to controversial conspiracy groups.{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Tom |title=Call for please-explain as Wellington mayoral candidate linked to conspiracy group |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360688170/call-please-explain-wellington-mayoral-candidate-linked-conspiracy-group |access-date=2 June 2025 |work=The Post |date=28 May 2025}} An analysis by digital investigator Keith Ng showed that websites for Ray Chung and Independent Together were hosted on the same server as anti-government conspiracy group Resistance Kiwi. Chung denied knowledge of the connection, saying that the website was set up for him by controversial right-wing political organiser Glenn Inwood, who also operates Resistance Kiwi.

File:2025 Wellington City Council election - Independent Together candidates by ward.svg

• Local elections in New Zealand

{{reflist}}

Category:Political groupings in New Zealand

Category:Politics of the Wellington Region