Summarised by Centrist
Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung has admitted sending a tawdry email making unsubstantiated claims Mayor Tory Whanau took part in a drug-fuelled New Year’s Eve sex orgy.
The story, which Whanau flatly denies, was passed to three councillors and included graphic descriptions such as “tempestuous sex” and “pendulous soft breasts.”
Chung told the Herald he never verified the rumour and had heard it from a neighbour while walking his dog. He described it as gossip and said he found it interesting. “I passed on exactly what I was told,” he said. “I would call it gossip.” He later added that he intended to apologise.
Whanau said the email was false and part of a long campaign of sexualised abuse. “It is creepy. It is gross. If he is going to stay in the mayoral race, he needs to commit to a clean campaign,” she said. She confirmed she spent that New Year’s Eve with foreign ambassadors and later attended a rainbow community event.
She shared the email with the Herald. “It is personal attacks, and they are designed to dehumanise,” she said.
Whanau says the public deserves to know who is seeking office, and what kind of judgment they bring with them.
Chung remains in the mayoral race. “I am not sexualising her or treating her like she is a sexual object or anything,” he said.
One high-profile donor, Sir Mark Dunajtschik, has since pulled his support, calling Chung’s actions disappointing. Another backer, Alistair Boyce, is standing by him but concedes the email was “naïve.”
Editor’s note: Chung’s email was crude, unverified and unfit for a public official. He should never have sent it. But it is also telling that Whanau’s public image, including chaotic nights out, staff confrontations and combative media appearances, has made even the most far-fetched story feel plausible to some. That does not excuse the rumour mongering, but it does partly explain why it may have gained traction. In politics, perception often matters more than fact. Whanau, fairly or not, has helped shape the kind of perception that fuels this kind of gossip.
