Wellington Live owner Graham Bloxham is under fire as his company faces removal

Graham Bloxham, the Wellington media personality behind Wellington LIVE, has faced a series of damaging blows to his business record in 2025.

In July 2025, the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) ordered Bloxham to pay nearly $30,000 to a former employee after finding that his company, In Your Pocket Media Limited, deducted PAYE tax from wages for almost a year but failed to pass it on to Inland Revenue.

The ERA decision described the non-payment as deliberate and misleading, rejecting any suggestion that it was an oversight. The ruling also criticized the way the employee was treated, including lack of proper wage records and pay slips.

Now, further cracks are showing in Bloxham’s business empire. The New Zealand Companies Office has issued a notice that In Your Pocket Media Limited is set to be removed from the register.

The public notice states that the objection period has already expired, meaning the Registrar will proceed with the company’s removal unless a late objection is received. Removal action usually occurs when a business fails to meet legal obligations such as filing annual returns, maintaining compliance, or addressing outstanding debts.

While Bloxham once promoted Wellington LIVE as a major independent media voice in the capital, records show instability in his business operations:

• Employment dispute resulting in a $30k payout.

• Company removal action, signalling a collapse of his media vehicle.

• Contradictory claims about ownership — Bloxham claimed to have sold Wellington LIVE in 2021, yet records show he remains the sole shareholder of the entity.

These issues came to the surface during his brief foray into politics. Earlier in 2025, Bloxham announced he would stand for Mayor of Wellington. His campaign drew attention for its flamboyant stunts, including dressing as a banana at a media event, but collapsed before nominations even closed. He withdrew citing concerns about the impact of personal attacks on his family.

Adding to the picture, Bloxham was arrested in May 2025 and charged with failing to stop for police after allegedly using his phone while driving. His vehicle was impounded, and he later appeared in court.

Combined with the ERA findings and the looming removal of his company, the controversies raise questions about both his financial management and professional credibility.

• 2016 – Paid for an anti-Justin Lester billboard during the Wellington mayoral campaign, sparking criticism.

• 2021 – Claimed to have sold Wellington LIVE, though records show he remained the sole shareholder via In Your Pocket Media Limited.

• May 2025 – Arrested and charged with failing to stop for police after allegedly using his phone while driving.

• July 2025 – ERA orders Bloxham to pay nearly $30,000 to a former employee for unpaid wages and PAYE tax issues.

• July 2025 – Announces and then withdraws from the Wellington mayoral race before nominations close.

• August 2025 – Companies Office notice shows In Your Pocket Media Limited set for removal from the register after the objection period lapsed.

From employment disputes and unpaid tax deductions to a company facing removal from the register, Graham Bloxham’s track record shows a pattern of failed business oversight. While his Wellington LIVE platform still commands an audience, the mounting evidence paints a picture of instability behind the scenes.