> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # “The Mask Falls: Unveiling the “Better Wellington” Cartel” - 16 December 2025 - URL: https://www.themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz/the-mask-falls-unveiling-the-better/ - Published: 2025-12-15T13:11:49.000Z - Updated: 2025-12-15T13:11:49.000Z - Author: Ivor Jones The Māori Green Ltn - Tags: Newsletter, #substack, #substack-type-newsletter, #substack-access-everyone, #Import 2026-02-18 20:13 [Paywalled article](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2ucidskjk8vpj1j5tfp3h/Ray-Chung-s-Better-Wellington-campaign-group-reveals-big-money-donors-NZ-Herald.pdf?rlkey=99tp9hbzw569ml5eog46u28aq&st=nilxwjle&dl=0&ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) They thought they could hide in the shadows of the Companies Office. They thought a “zero rates” slogan would distract us from the smell of old money and decaying colonial entitlement. But the Ring sees all. The taiaha of truth strikes not at the person, but at the *kaupapa*—and the kaupapa of “Better Wellington” is a mauri-depleting extraction machine designed to return our city to the landlords. Today, we expose the network. We verify the connections. We name the names. ![Shape](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/f744bba4-a70b-4e63-b79f-fe01e760e531_637x3.png) ## **The Hidden Connections** - **The Bob Jones Tentacle**: **Tirohanga Ltd** is not just a company; it is the fingerprint of **Sir Bob Jones**, the man who once suggested Māori should lease our existence. - **The Ghost in the Machine**: **The Houghton Limited** does not exist on the register, yet it funneled **$5,000** into the campaign. Who is hiding behind this ghost? - **The Property Cartel**: **Eyal Aharoni**, **Sir Mark Dunajtschik**, **Craig Walton**. These are not “concerned citizens”; they are the landed gentry fighting to keep their grip on the city’s soil. - **The Film Industry’s Right Turn**: **Jamie Selkirk**, Oscar-winning editor, dropping **$50,000**. The “creative capital” myth is shattered when its elites fund austerity. - **The “Independent” Lie**: **Wayne Coffey** funding both the group and the candidate separately. This is not independence; this is a coordinated takeover. ![Shape](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/f744bba4-a70b-4e63-b79f-fe01e760e531_637x3.png) ## **Background: The “Independent Together” Farce** In the lead-up to the 2025 election, a group calling itself **“Better Wellington”** emerged, backing the **“Independent Together”** ticket led by Councillor **Ray Chung**. Their pitch was simple: > “Zero rates increases”, as detailed on their [website](https://betterwellington.org.nz/strongest-team-in-over-20-years-contests-wellington-city-council-elections/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) and [candidate profiles](https://policy.nz/2025/wellington-city-council-mayoral/candidates/ray-chung?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). It sounds appealing until you ask *who pays the price*. Zero rates mean zero investment in water, zero investment in housing, and zero investment in the community services that whānau rely on. It is the classic neoliberal trojan horse: austerity for the many, asset protection for the few. But behind the billboards and the populist rhetoric lay a war chest of **$157,000**—a staggering sum for a local ticket, as revealed by the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/ray-chungs-better-wellington-campaign-group-reveals-big-money-donors/premium/E7ZMZPKAXZGIPPTHML7GVQ3AAQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). And now, thanks to the *NZ Herald* and our own investigation, we know exactly whose pockets that money came from. ![Shape](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/f744bba4-a70b-4e63-b79f-fe01e760e531_637x3.png) ## **Deconstruction via Mātauranga** From a mātauranga Māori perspective, money has *mauri*. It carries the intention of its source. When money flows from those who have historically extracted value from the land and its people, it brings with it a *take* (cause) of domination. The “Better Wellington” campaign was not woven from the flax of community aspiration; it was forged in the fires of corporate anxiety. The donors listed below represent a *whakapapa* of wealth that views the city not as a *kāinga* (home), but as an asset class. ![Shape](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/f744bba4-a70b-4e63-b79f-fe01e760e531_637x3.png) ## **Analysis: The 5+ Hidden Revelations** **1\. The Bob Jones Connection: Tirohanga’s Dark Money** The campaign received **$35,000** from **Tirohanga Ltd**, as reported by the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/ray-chungs-better-wellington-campaign-group-reveals-big-money-donors/premium/E7ZMZPKAXZGIPPTHML7GVQ3AAQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). The Herald notes this company has been “removed from the companies register”. However, a deeper search reveals the truth: **Tirohanga Holdings Limited** is very much alive, and has historically listed **Sir Bob Jones** as a director, as confirmed by [Te Ao Māori News](https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2018/06/07/no-conflict-of-interest-in-receiving-petition-to-strip-labour-donor-of-knighthood-pm/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). - **The Revelation**: Sir Bob Jones is not just a property tycoon; he is a vocal opponent of the Waitangi Tribunal and a purveyor of anti-Māori rhetoric, as seen in his controversial [writings](https://nopunchespulled.com/2023/10/13/time-to-say-goodbye/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). His money powering a mayoral bid is a direct assault on the *mana* of our city. Ray Chung even paid tribute to Jones at his campaign launch, calling him a “mentor”, as noted by the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ray-chung-launches-wellington-mayoral-campaign/2OEG22NPRNFODD44RT5RAENT5I/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). The connection is undeniable: this was the “anti-woke” capital trying to buy the mayoralty. **2\. The Ghost Donor: The Houghton Limited** Transparency is the first casualty of dirty politics. The campaign declared **$5,000** from **“The Houghton Limited”**—a company that **does not appear on the New Zealand Companies Register**, according to the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/ray-chungs-better-wellington-campaign-group-reveals-big-money-donors/premium/E7ZMZPKAXZGIPPTHML7GVQ3AAQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). - **The Revelation**: This is verified “dark money”. In a system that requires strict declaration, the acceptance of funds from a non-existent entity is a breach of the public trust. Is it a shell? A typo? Or a deliberate obfuscation to hide another player? The Ring detects a void where truth should be. **3\. The Property Cartel: Aharoni, Dunajtschik, Walton** The donor list reads like a roll call of Wellington’s landlords. - **Eyal Aharoni** (**Primeproperty**) gave **$10,000**, confirmed by the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/ray-chungs-better-wellington-campaign-group-reveals-big-money-donors/premium/E7ZMZPKAXZGIPPTHML7GVQ3AAQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). Aharoni is behind some of the largest developments in the city, as noted in reports on his [projects](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/sharesies-willis-bond-yu-mei-whos-who-in-wellington-mayor-tory-whanaus-new-business-group/CMZX24KJ?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). - **Sir Mark Dunajtschik** gave **$25,000**, as verified by the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/ray-chungs-better-wellington-campaign-group-reveals-big-money-donors/premium/E7ZMZPKAXZGIPPTHML7GVQ3AAQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz), though he later “soured” on Chung after the email scandal. - **Craig Walton** (**BBV Ltd**) gave **$10,000**, also listed in the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/ray-chungs-better-wellington-campaign-group-reveals-big-money-donors/premium/E7ZMZPKAXZGIPPTHML7GVQ3AAQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). - **Malcolm Gillies** (**Gillies Group**) gave **$5,000**, confirmed by the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/ray-chungs-better-wellington-campaign-group-reveals-big-money-donors/premium/E7ZMZPKAXZGIPPTHML7GVQ3AAQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). - **The Revelation**: This is a coordinated block. **$50,000+** from the property sector alone. These are the forces that resist affordable housing, oppose tenant protections, and lobby against the “bureaucracy” that stops them from paving over Papatūānuku. **4\. The Film Industry’s Right Turn** We often paint Wellington’s film industry as a bastion of liberal creativity. Yet, the **largest single donor** was **Tory Holdings Limited**, owned by **Jamie Selkirk**, the Oscar-winning editor and collaborator of Peter Jackson, who gave **$50,000**, as revealed by the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/ray-chungs-better-wellington-campaign-group-reveals-big-money-donors/premium/E7ZMZPKAXZGIPPTHML7GVQ3AAQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). - **The Revelation**: Wealth protects wealth. Even the “creatives,” once they reach a certain tax bracket, align with the property cartel. This shatters the illusion of a united “progressive” Wellington culture sector. **5\. The “Dirty Politics” Machine** The campaign didn’t just spend money; it spent *mana*. Ray Chung was embroiled in a scandal involving an email detailing “unsavoury sexual rumours” about Mayor Tory Whanau, as reported by the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/exclusive-wellington-mayoral-candidate-ray-chungs-sex-and-drugs-gossip-about-tory-whanau/YIEIRU6J3?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). The “Better Wellington” social media pages launched vicious attacks, labelling Councillor Rebecca Matthews a “retard” and “grift monkey”, a hateful act documented by the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/better-wellington-deletes-post-comparing-green-councillor-to-charlie-kirks-alleged-murderer/SFT7AF?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). - **The Revelation**: This toxic behaviour is not accidental; it is a feature of the “anti-woke” playbook funded by these donors. The money from Jones and Selkirk didn’t just buy billboards; it bought a platform for hate. ![The Bankrollers: Who Funded Ray Chung's "Better Wellington" Campaign](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/4e8cf1ff-212d-4525-9a14-4f6487d28012_951x633.png) The Bankrollers: Who Funded Ray Chung’s “Better Wellington” Campaign ![Sector Dominance: The Money Behind "Better Wellington"](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/547051e6-8b28-4509-8a76-4f529e2ea46d_951x633.png) Sector Dominance: The Money Behind “Better Wellington” ![Campaign War Chests: Better Wellington vs Others](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/e799d2e8-db8e-49cf-b46d-6ee3d3815b60_951x633.png) Campaign War Chests: Better Wellington vs Others ![Shape](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/f744bba4-a70b-4e63-b79f-fe01e760e531_637x3.png) ## **Implications: The Cost of “Zero Rates”** The “Zero Rates” promise was the bait. The hook was a council compliant to the wishes of **Tirohanga** and **Primeproperty**. - **Quantified Harm**: A zero rates increase in an inflationary environment is a **cut**. It means slashing the Living Wage for council staff, as Chung promised to “slash jobs” according to [RNZ](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/563266/wellington-mayoral-hopeful-ray-chung-promises-to-slash-council-jobs?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). It means deferring water infrastructure repairs and stalling the *Māori Ward* partnership. - **Action Pathway**: We must demand the Electoral Officer investigate “The Houghton Limited”. We must boycott the businesses that fund hate. We must support the *mana whenua* representatives who stand against this tide. ![Shape](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/f744bba4-a70b-4e63-b79f-fe01e760e531_637x3.png) ## **Rangatiratanga in Action** The “Better Wellington” bid failed. Ray Chung lost the mayoralty in a landslide to Andrew Little, as reported by the [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/how-ray-chungs-once-promising-mayoral-bid-collapsed-in-a-landslide-defeat/YLNJ23ZAAND5X?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz). Only two of their candidates made it to the table. But the network remains. The money is still there, waiting for the next election, the next puppet. We have exposed them. We have verified their connections. Now, we must organize. *Rangatiratanga* is not just about sovereignty; it is about freedom from the influence of dark money and hidden agendas. We see you, Bob Jones. We see you, Eyal Aharoni. And we are watching. *Tihei mauri ora!* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/496049b2-ab0c-4bc3-a99c-e7d1671110b8_1248x1872.jpg) Ivor Jones The Māori Green Lantern Fighting Misinformaton And Disinformation From The Far Right ![Shape](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/f744bba4-a70b-4e63-b79f-fe01e760e531_637x3.png) 1. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/how-ray-chungs-once-promising-mayoral-bid-collapsed-in-a-landslide-defeat/YLNJ23ZAAND5XEOLQNRCA2BTQ4/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/how-ray-chungs-once-promising-mayoral-bid-collapsed-in-a-landslide-defeat/YLNJ23ZAAND5XEOLQNRCA2BTQ4/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 2. [https://www.salient.org.nz/post/who-is-behind-independent-together-whaling-tobacco-and-conspiracy-theories](https://www.salient.org.nz/post/who-is-behind-independent-together-whaling-tobacco-and-conspiracy-theories?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 3. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/confidential-council-documents-in-old-wellington-mayoral-desk-not-the-only-mishandled-files/NWETSBECR5HATJP2OCKBFMDSVI/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/confidential-council-documents-in-old-wellington-mayoral-desk-not-the-only-mishandled-files/NWETSBECR5HATJP2OCKBFMDSVI/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 4. 5. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/latest-news/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/latest-news/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 6. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/ray-chungs-better-wellington-campaign-group-reveals-big-money-donors/premium/E7ZMZPKAXZGIPPTHML7GVQ3AAQ/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/ray-chungs-better-wellington-campaign-group-reveals-big-money-donors/premium/E7ZMZPKAXZGIPPTHML7GVQ3AAQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 7. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington-mayor-andrew-little-scraps-tory-whanau-era-mayoral-business-advisory-group/premium/3TLKGHXUVNDERLJRC5GY5G5UXQ/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington-mayor-andrew-little-scraps-tory-whanau-era-mayoral-business-advisory-group/premium/3TLKGHXUVNDERLJRC5GY5G5UXQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 8. [/content/files/arc/outboundfeeds/sitemap3/2018-03-30.xml](https://www.themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz/content/files/arc/outboundfeeds/sitemap3/2018-03-30.xml) 9. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rich-lister-philanthropist-mark-dunajtschik-bankrolling-wellington-mayoral-candidate-ray-chung/2YO562FX3RBW7M2LRFJK4YRSTQ/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rich-lister-philanthropist-mark-dunajtschik-bankrolling-wellington-mayoral-candidate-ray-chung/2YO562FX3RBW7M2LRFJK4YRSTQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 10. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/better-wellington-deletes-post-comparing-green-councillor-to-charlie-kirks-alleged-murderer/SFT7AFRQKVG75EXQSGPXWR5ZHY/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/better-wellington-deletes-post-comparing-green-councillor-to-charlie-kirks-alleged-murderer/SFT7AFRQKVG75EXQSGPXWR5ZHY/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 11. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/police-gifts-register-shows-alcohol-cash-and-prime-minister-christopher-luxons-childs-bike-donated-to-cops/V7RI4QUIK5GN3NDU7P6J3NWEVQ/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/police-gifts-register-shows-alcohol-cash-and-prime-minister-christopher-luxons-childs-bike-donated-to-cops/V7RI4QUIK5GN3NDU7P6J3NWEVQ/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 12. [https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2018/06/07/no-conflict-of-interest-in-receiving-petition-to-strip-labour-donor-of-knighthood-pm/](https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2018/06/07/no-conflict-of-interest-in-receiving-petition-to-strip-labour-donor-of-knighthood-pm/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 13. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington-mayoral-race-whos-in-and-whos-out-as-candidates-confirmed/EGVIDMEJZBHFFLEVHQD4CEZSRU/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington-mayoral-race-whos-in-and-whos-out-as-candidates-confirmed/EGVIDMEJZBHFFLEVHQD4CEZSRU/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 14. [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/576199/wellington-councillor-ray-chung-re-elected-with-a-margin-of-45-votes](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/576199/wellington-councillor-ray-chung-re-elected-with-a-margin-of-45-votes?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 15. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/wellington-city-council/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/wellington-city-council/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 16. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/local-elections-2025-biggest-wins-and-closest-calls-as-special-votes-loom/7YRCO46KXBCFRMNB2YRNHRQIKY/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/local-elections-2025-biggest-wins-and-closest-calls-as-special-votes-loom/7YRCO46KXBCFRMNB2YRNHRQIKY/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 17. [https://betterwellington.org.nz/strongest-team-in-over-20-years-contests-wellington-city-council-elections/](https://betterwellington.org.nz/strongest-team-in-over-20-years-contests-wellington-city-council-elections/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) [Democracy Deep Dive: Who Really pays for local politics?The local government election donation returns are in, and they tell a familiar story. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown raised a staggering $617,000 for his re-election campaign, backed by a parade of property developers, construction firms, and billionaires. His nearest rival, Kerrin Leoni, scraped together $83,000 – much of it in small donations from ordinary voters. In Wellington, Andrew Little had the unions and Labour establishment in his corner, while the defeated Ray Chung’s funding arrangements have been murky.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b1/cd/b1cd2cb0-95e8-4ee7-ad91-84123e3121bd/content/images/public/images/33397d09-3ea9-4d88-a718-1f70a3d8311e_1024x1024.png)The Democracy Project](https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-deep-dive-who-really-pays?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 1. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington-mayor-andrew-littles-financial-backers-revealed-electoral-officer-queries-ray-chungs-funding/F3IR5VTSBVH5NMCVROMSFZSBZU/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington-mayor-andrew-littles-financial-backers-revealed-electoral-officer-queries-ray-chungs-funding/F3IR5VTSBVH5NMCVROMSFZSBZU/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 2. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington-councillor-ray-chung-re-elected-with-a-margin-of-45-votes/FVVMKSI6OBFVTLVZO7WJPIH544/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington-councillor-ray-chung-re-elected-with-a-margin-of-45-votes/FVVMKSI6OBFVTLVZO7WJPIH544/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 3. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/givealittle-report-which-city-in-new-zealand-is-the-most-generous/LZKA2TFUANH2NO4IY4DPRBNG7U/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/givealittle-report-which-city-in-new-zealand-is-the-most-generous/LZKA2TFUANH2NO4IY4DPRBNG7U/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 4. [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/563266/wellington-mayoral-hopeful-ray-chung-promises-to-slash-council-jobs](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/563266/wellington-mayoral-hopeful-ray-chung-promises-to-slash-council-jobs?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz) 5. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/ethan-manera/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/ethan-manera/?ref=themaorigreenlantern.maori.nz)