Top cop and embattled Wellington councillor Ray Chung in honesty face-off
Wednesday, 8 July 2026
A Wellington top cop says embattled Wellington City councillor Ray Chung has unfairly dragged a senior police officer’s integrity into question.
A new statement from police intensifies the dispute between Chung and the capital’s police force, which centres on his involvement in a search for a missing man.
The allegations and counter-claims relate to what Chung did in a search for Philip Sutton who was found dead, thought to be swept away from his Karori home.
Information released last week shows Wellington City area commander Inspector Dean Silvester told Wellington mayor Andrew Little that Chung made a “nuisance” of himself and spread misinformation during the search.
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Information released by the Wellington City Council last week showed Wellington City area commander Inspector Dean Silvester text messaged mayor Andrew Little during the search to complain Chung had made a “nuisance” of himself.
“This has included the spreading of misinformation and inappropriate contact with emergency services and the missing person[’s] family.”
Chung last week struck back in a long text message to The Post in which he essentially called police liars.
But Little has labelled Chung’s version of events as “shifting and evasive” and stripped the Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward of a committee chairperson position.
Wellington District Commander Superintendent Penelope Gifford responded to The Post this week.
“Claims made by the councillor about a senior officer's actions are completely false, unwarranted and have unfairly dragged the officer’s integrity into question,” Gifford said.
“I am happy to meet with Cr Chung so he can discuss his concerns directly with me, but I will be making it very clear that the officer involved has my full trust and confidence as I know him to operate with the highest level of integrity.
“Never at any stage has a member of my staff been less than truthful with [Chung].”
Chung on Wednesday said he had requested a meeting with Gifford but no date had yet been set.
“I absolutely stand by my claim and none of the claims made by Dean Silvester have been discussed or disclosed to me.”
Gifford confirmed Chung had been in touch and a meeting time was being set up.
Little said he would take no further action.
“As far as I’m concerned the matter was concluded when councillor Chung stepped down from his role as [committee] chair,” Little said.
Police were asked in the days after the flood about a complaint laid about Chung joining the search.
“Police are not aware of any complaint in relation to the question posed,” a police spokesperson told The Post.
Information now released shows Silvester text messaged Little complaining about Chung but an initial statement confirming this was never released.
Gifford said the draft was “pared back after consultation at the executive level”.
“It was considered unnecessary to comment further given the mayor had spoken publicly about the events, and it was felt this was an issue best managed by the mayor’s office,” Gifford said.