Graham Bloxham, Mayor Guppy, and the Smear Campaign Shaking Upper Hutt

Wellington 21st September 2025

Upper Hutt has been caught up in controversy after Graham Bloxham, publisher of Wellington Live and a known associate of Mayor Wayne Guppy, sent a series of late-night emails accusing residents of running a “troll farm.”

The emails, dated 20 September 2025, were not kept private. They were copied to Parliament staff, the NZ Police cyber team, and journalists from Stuff and The Spinoff. In them, Bloxham used strong language, calling people “pathetic,” 'a complete disgrace,' and “dumb.” He also claimed to have contacted employers and suggested articles would soon be circulated to expose the individuals he was writing about.

One recipient responded with just three words: “Bugger off, Graham.” That simple reply has since gone viral across social media, with many locals repeating it in support.

The emails have also raised questions about Bloxham’s ongoing links to Mayor Wayne Guppy. In the last election, Guppy’s campaign spent nearly $10,000 with companies connected to Bloxham for social media and advertising. Bloxham has also appeared in campaign material backing Guppy, and his platform *Wellington Live* has regularly shared positive coverage of the Mayor. With another local body election underway, critics say these emails are part of a wider pattern where political debate is being dragged into personal attacks.

Bloxham has previously been linked to several failed business ventures, including companies that have been struck off the Companies Register. While he continues to promote himself as a publisher and media operator, the record shows a history of short-lived ventures.

Public reaction has been strong. On Facebook, residents called his behaviour “dirty and underhand” and questioned why such tactics were being used in local politics. Others mocked the language of the emails, with one commenter saying, “He’s by far the biggest troll out there,” while another added, “I want ‘Bugger off, Graham’ on a t-shirt.”

This situation highlights growing concern in Upper Hutt about the role of media, money, and influence in local politics. Residents have made it clear they want open debate and fair elections, not threats and smear campaigns.

The phrase that started as one person’s blunt reply has now become the community’s message back to Bloxham: 'Bugger off, Graham.'