Election countdown: The campaign goes to the dogs
Saturday, 6 September 2025
OPINION: It seems unlikely Wellington mayor Tory Whanau will be a shoulder to cry on for mayoral candidate Ray Chung. Chung, in a recently surfaced 2022 email, infamously referred to the mayor’s “soft pendulous breasts”. Now it seems somebody has defaced one of Chung’s billboards with a drawing of what appear to be breasts of the description. But, just in case anyone was left guessing, the sign was captioned with the words … well, you know.
Wellington City Council candidate Tony De Lorenzo’s campaign has gone to the dogs. De Lorenzo claims to have the endorsement of his apparently human-speaking dog, Harbin the Chow Chow. “Local elections may not feel as glamorous as the general election, but it is important to be involved,” Harbin was quoted as saying in a press release. “Read up on your candidates and learn about Single Transferable Voting (STV). Ranking candidates can influence the outcome and feel of the council. It is important to have your voice heard. I don’t have a voice, I can only bark” ‒ leading to one begging question.
Wellington City Council Pukehīnau/Lambton ward candidate Tim Ward has received an almost-accidental profile boost from former mayor Justin Lester. Lester is involved in a Facebook page, Wellington Alive, which highlights the good and the great of Wellington. He has been profiling the various people who have shaped the city and turned the spotlight on Ward, “the quiet architect of Cuba St nightlife”. Lester waxed lyrical about Ward and the various venues he had set up - Hole in the Wall, The Matterhorn, Good Luck, San Fran, The Hunter Lounge, Club 121 to name a few. But it is not until 690 words that he dropped the news “And now, in a move that is equal parts surprising and inevitable, he’s put his hand up for Wellington City Council.”
Mayoral candidate Alex Baker, appears to be having a bob each way, with campaign posters featuring him in two alternate universes. One is “casual” Alex, hair flowing, relaxed attire; the other is “corporate” Alex, neat hair, suit and tie. Similarly his website throws up quite disparate personality traits; the strategic thinker and former chartered accountant versus the fun-loving, outgoing, energetic musician. #allrounder?
Far less cryptic is mayoral contender Karl Tiefenbacher, whose giant mug is plastered all over a wall at Wellington food emporium Moore Wilsons and on the fence of some rather flash houses, including a rather palatial looking home in Karori (town end). Seems the long-time business owner, who has also received the backing of rich-lister philanthropist Sir Mark Dunajtschik, not only knows his ice cream from his gelato but also which side of his bread the butter is on.
The next council will no doubt have its tense moments but it seems they will nearly all be singing from the same song sheet on one tune. Predator Free Wellington surveyed all would-be Wellington City and Wellington Regional elected members asking what role they saw biodiversity playing in the city’s identity and future, and whether they were committed to continuing Predator Free Wellington funding of about $540,000 per year. A staggering 98% saw biodiversity as central to the city’s identity while 86% backed the funding. But that was of course from those who bothered to reply.
Those throwing their hats in the ring to sit on the next council would do well to realise it is not all champagne and caviar. There is also work to do. Take for example the week just been. Monday had a meeting with a 64-page agenda, then Tuesday’s meeting agenda stretched to 397 pages. Wednesday’s meeting was a meagre 56 pages but it was Thursday’s, with 3229 pages, that took the crown. On top of reading agendas, then attending the meetings (often day-long events) there were also workshops – three of them on Tuesday.