Benedict Ong

Benedict Alvin Ong is a New Zealand local government politician in Dunedin, New Zealand. He is a councillor of the Dunedin City Council, in his first term. He has gained significant media attention following his censure by the council. The city council voted 10–2 on 26 March 2026 to request Ong resign, which he rejected. During the meeting, Ong chose to read from Franz Kafka's novel The Trial instead of defending himself.

Early life and career Benedict Ong has claimed that he was born in Dunedin. He and his family subsequently moved to Australia where he received most of his schooling.

He worked as an associate director in Rabobank Singapore's mergers and acquisitions team between 2007 and 2010. Between May 2013 and December 2017, Ong was employed by the Royal Bank of Canada's (RBC) wealth management team in Singapore. In addition, he also worked for the United Overseas Bank (UOB).

Conflict with DCC councillors and staff On 19 December 2025, Ong filed a code of conduct complaint against fellow Councillor John Chambers for allegedly making "discriminatory comments" against Dunedin's South Asian community during a workshop on 12 December. Chambers has disputed Ong's allegations. Despite being instructed by DCC CEO Sandra Graham not to compromise the investigation by making public comments, Ong published a social media post in mid-January 2026 detailing his complaint against Chambers and accused Graham of being derelict in her duties by not disciplining Chambers.

On 11 February, Ong stated that he would not cooperate with Dyhrberg's investigation into the code of conduct complaint against him. In addition, Mayor of Dunedin Sophie Barker barred Ong from participating in informal meetings with Members of Parliament and councils due to several code of conduct violations including his online remarks against Graham. When Ong tried to attend an informal meeting with Labour MPs on 20 February in defiance of this suspension, he was escorted out of the meeting by Councillors Chambers, Doug Hall, Mickey Treadwell and Andrew Simms. In protest, Ong wore tape over his mouth. Ong was also stripped of his role as deputy lead of the technology portfolio.

During the disciplinary meeting on 25 March, the DCC heard the findings of Dyhrberg's code of conduct investigation against Ong, including the attempted discrediting of a witness for not supporting his account of a complaint against Councillor Chambers. Ong was given 30 minutes to speak in his own defence but instead chose to read a passage from Franz Kafka's novel The Trial.

2026 hotel confidentiality breach On 21 April 2026, Ong leaked a series of emails discussing the proposed construction of a hotel next to the Forsyth Barr Stadium. Mayor Barker and councillors, including Andrew Simms and Doug Hall, criticised Ong for breaching confidentiality policies and potentially jeopardising a commercial development. In response, Ong claimed he was promoting transparency and "accelerating negotiations" between the council-controlled organisation Dunedin Venues and the Russell Property Group. Later that week, Ong was ordered to withdraw a statement claiming that the proposed hotel had been confirmed during a council meeting.

On 29 April 2026, Ong was sent an email notifying him that a complaint that he had breached the Code of Conduct was being investigated. The complaint related to the leaking of two emails concerned the hotel associated with the stadium. It was reported that he leaked that email to other councillors, council staff and several members of the press within six minutes of receiving it.

Dunedin City councillors accepted the Code of Conduct report at a meeting on 18 May 2026, and suspended Ong from all committees and subcommittees for nine months. His access to confidential information and ability to attend non-public workshops were restricted earlier in the month.

Notable motions and actions On 30 January 2026, the DCC voted by a margin of 12–2 to reject Ong's motion requesting a report on recognising "significant philanthropic and corporate contributions with naming rights for select public assets."

In late March 2026, the Otago Daily Times reported that Ong had unsuccessfully nominated himself to be a director of the media company New Zealand Media and Entertainment's board.