Intelligence Report on Better Wellington

June 3, 2025

Executive Summary

Better Wellington is a registered incorporated society in Wellington, New Zealand, established in 2022 to influence local governance by advocating for reduced council spending and affordable living. The organization endorses the “Independent Together” candidates, led by Wellington City Councillor Ray Chung for mayor, in the upcoming local government election. Their platform emphasizes zero rates increases for three years, prioritizing core infrastructure, reducing debt, and promoting direct democracy free from party politics. While claiming to be non-partisan, their policies align with fiscal conservatism, appealing to residents and business owners concerned about rising rates and perceived council inefficiencies. Limited information is available on their funding, likely derived from supporter donations. Public engagement on platforms like X indicates support, but critics question the feasibility of their policies given Wellington’s infrastructure needs. This report provides a detailed profile of Better Wellington, including its mission, key figures, political context, and speculative insights.

Background and Mission

Better Wellington was founded in 2022 by a group of residents aiming to ensure that Wellington City Councillors act in the best interests of the city. According to their website (https://betterwellington.org.nz/), the organization seeks to address unsustainable rates increases, which they claim have risen by $2000 year-on-year, and wasteful council spending, estimated in the hundreds of millions annually. They position themselves as “Pro-Wellington,” rejecting both left and right political ideologies in favor of pragmatic, resident-focused governance. Their mission includes:

Reducing council spending to maintain affordability.
Opposing excessive rates increases.
Criticizing council decisions perceived as detrimental to the city’s economic vitality.
Supporting candidates who prioritize fiscal responsibility and direct democracy.

The organization is registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022, indicating a formal structure, and operates from an office at 26 Torrens Terrace, Mount Cook, Wellington.

Endorsed Candidates and Policies

Better Wellington endorses the “Independent Together” team for the upcoming local government election, describing them as the most impressive lineup in over 20 years (https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=169559). The team includes Ray Chung, a current councillor running for mayor, and ten other candidates. Their key policies, as outlined on https://voteforit.nz/, include:

Zero Rates Increases: Maintaining zero rates increases for three years, followed by increases only at the rate of inflation.
Cost Reduction: Cutting spending on unnecessary projects and prioritizing core infrastructure such as pipes, roads, parks, and public facilities.
Debt Management: Eliminating the “debt spiral” by scrapping wasteful projects, auditing council departments for efficiency, and borrowing less.
CBD Accessibility: Restoring access to the Central Business District (CBD) for all and reinstating lost car parks to support local businesses.
Direct Democracy: Ensuring decisions are made in the city’s best interest, free from party politics, and supporting councillors who prioritize residents.
Policy Area Details Relevant Numbers
Rates Increase Maintain zero rates increase for three years, then increase at inflation rate 0% for 3 years Council Costs Cut costs on unnecessary projects, prioritize core infrastructure – Debt Management Scrap wasteful projects, audit departments, borrow less – CBD Access Restore CBD access, reinstate car parks – Democracy Support direct democracy, no party politics –
: Key Policies of “Independent Together” Candidates

Critics have raised concerns about the feasibility of these policies, noting that past zero rates increases led to under-investment in infrastructure, with water pipes alone costing $7 billion to replace. Specific projects like Tākina ($10 million/year), the Golden Mile, and street projects ($212 million) have been cited as examples of wasteful spending (https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=163784).

Key Figures

Better Wellington is supported by a range of individuals, with some publicly identified:

Paul Heffernan: Listed as the authorizer at 566N Adelaide Road, Wellington (https://betterwellington.org.nz/). His exact role is unclear, but he is likely a key organizer or spokesperson. Limited information is available, though he may have a background in business or community advocacy.
Alistair Boyce: Owner of The Backbencher Gastropub, located near Parliament. Boyce has been vocal about the impact of council policies and protests on his business, suggesting a strong interest in local governance (https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/127723043/protest-forces-businesses-around-parliament-to-close). He is a prominent supporter and has spoken on behalf of Better Wellington, including criticizing council funding decisions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfSY36mUZwo).
Other Supporters: The organization claims thousands of supporters, with 297 names listed on their website (https://betterwellington.org.nz/bw-supporters/). Notable supporters include Glenn Inwood, Nicola Cranfield, John Swan, Gary Moller, and Karen Tonks. Many supporters prefer anonymity, indicating a broad but discreet base.
Name Details
Paul Heffernan Authorizer, likely a key organizer, limited public information Alistair Boyce Owner of The Backbencher Gastropub, vocal on council issues Glenn Inwood Supporter, details not specified Nicola Cranfield Supporter, details not specified John Swan Supporter, details not specified Gary Moller Supporter, has written on cycleway policies Karen Tonks Supporter, details not specified Others 297 named supporters, thousands total, many anonymous
: Key Supporters of Better Wellington

Funding

No specific information is available on Better Wellington’s funding sources. As a registered incorporated society, they are likely funded through donations from supporters, including local residents and business owners who share their concerns about council spending. The lack of transparency on funding suggests a grassroots model, but contributions from prominent business figures like Alistair Boyce are plausible. No evidence of external or corporate funding has been found.

Political Landscape

The Wellington City Council currently comprises 15 councillors and Mayor Tory Whanau, elected in 2022. The council includes a mix of independents and party-affiliated members, with a notable presence from the Green Party and Labour. Key councillors in the Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward, where Ray Chung was elected, include:

Ray Chung: Independent, endorsed by Better Wellington, focused on fiscal responsibility (https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/about-the-council/mayor-and-councillors/councillors/ray-chung).
Diane Calvert: Independent, emphasizes transparency and economic development (https://www.dianecalvert.nz/).
Rebecca Matthews: Likely aligned with the Green Party, supports densification and tenant advocacy (https://rentersunited.org.nz/lbe22-rebeccamatthews/).

In the 2022 mayoral election, Tory Whanau (Green Party) won with 34,462 votes, defeating Andy Foster (16,711 votes), Paul Eagle (14,589 votes), and Ray Chung (12,670 votes) (https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/2022-elections/results/mayor). The election saw a voter turnout of approximately 45%, higher than the 2019 election (https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/news-and-information/our-wellington/2022/10/tory-whanau-mayor). Whanau’s victory was described as a landslide, reflecting a desire for change, though the broader election trend leaned toward the political right, with her win as an exception (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Wellington_City_mayoral_election).

Better Wellington’s endorsement of “Independent Together” candidates suggests an attempt to shift the council toward fiscal conservatism, countering the influence of left-leaning councillors. Their opposition to party politics aligns with a broader sentiment against ideological governance, as evidenced by their support for candidates who prioritize resident interests over party lines.

Public Sentiment and Activities

Better Wellington maintains an active presence on X, where they post about council policies and their endorsed candidates. Notable posts include:

Criticism of cycle lanes and car park reductions, linking them to economic decline (https://x.com/BetterWgtn/status/1868703269561983123).
Attribution of business closures, such as Pandoro cafes, to council policies (https://x.com/BetterWgtn/status/1831831821560279403).
Opposition to other mayoral candidates, such as Andrew Little (https://x.com/BetterWgtn/status/1912193301975085112).
Promotion of Ray Chung’s campaign launch (https://x.com/BetterWgtn/status/1927794753254412788).

These posts have garnered significant engagement, with view counts ranging from 3,908 to 53,860 and favorite counts from 168 to 558, indicating a receptive audience among some Wellington residents. The organization also engages with the community through monthly constituent meetings, such as one scheduled for April 12, 2025, at Le Marquis Cafe, Wadestown.

Controversies

Better Wellington itself has not been directly implicated in major controversies, but their endorsed candidate, Ray Chung, faced criticism for missing a “pivotal” council meeting to attend a campaign event, prompting accusations from Mayor Tory Whanau that he prioritized donors over council duties (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington-councillor-ray-chung-criticised-for-missing-meeting-for-fancy-lunch-with-donors/AOZVUC5TZ5BX5KUPKN5I2WK3RA/). Chung defended his attendance record and dismissed the criticism.

Broader criticisms relate to the feasibility of Better Wellington’s policies. Articles highlight concerns that zero rates increases could lead to under-investment in critical infrastructure, citing historical examples and committed expenditures like the Town Hall and Central Library upgrades (https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=163784). The council’s operational expenditure increase from $600 million to $830 million has also been flagged as a challenge to cost-cutting proposals.

Speculative Insights

Based on available information, several speculative points can be inferred:

Support Base: Better Wellington likely draws significant support from local business owners, such as Alistair Boyce, and property owners burdened by rising rates. Their focus on CBD accessibility and business support suggests a strong business community backing.
Political Strategy: By endorsing a cohesive group of candidates, Better Wellington aims to create a voting bloc that can influence council decisions, potentially shifting the balance away from left-leaning policies.
Potential Impact: If successful, their candidates could prioritize fiscal restraint, potentially reducing spending on projects like cycleways or the Golden Mile. However, this could lead to tensions with residents who value environmental or progressive initiatives.
Challenges: Implementing zero rates increases may be difficult given Wellington’s aging infrastructure and existing financial commitments. Cuts to services or projects could face public backlash, particularly from communities reliant on council support.

Conclusion

Better Wellington is a grassroots organization seeking to reshape Wellington’s local governance by endorsing fiscally conservative candidates who prioritize affordability and resident-focused decision-making. Their support for Ray Chung and the “Independent Together” team reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the current council’s spending and policies. While their platform resonates with some residents and businesses, the feasibility of their proposals remains debated. Their influence in the upcoming election could significantly impact Wellington’s future, but balancing cost-cutting with infrastructure needs will be a critical challenge.