Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown Releases Festive Video Featuring Chloe Swarbrick to Boost Holiday Spirit
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Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown Unleashes a Holiday‑Hushed Video – Featuring Chloe Swarbrick Amid a “Stupid Season” Warning
Auckland’s newly elected mayor, Wayne Brown, has sent the city’s residents into a swirl of holiday cheer and political wit with a Christmas‑themed video that debuted on the Auckland Council’s social‑media channels this week. The clip, which runs just under two minutes, showcases Brown himself delivering a warm “Merry Christmas” message, but the real headline‑grabber is the unexpected cameo from former National MP and outspoken activist Chloe Swarbrick. The pair’s chemistry and the mayor’s tongue‑in‑cheek reference to a “stupid season” has already sparked conversations across local media, political circles and the city’s own council meeting minutes.
The Video: A Holiday Message With a Twist
Brown’s video opens with a panoramic shot of the Auckland skyline dusted in snow, an improbable visual effect that sets the tone for a light‑hearted holiday narrative. He greets viewers in both English and Te Reo Māori, a bilingual nod to his commitment to biculturalism – a recurring theme in his tenure as councilor and, more recently, his mayoral agenda. The mayor promises to keep the city’s infrastructure humming through the holidays, emphasizing that the “stupid season” – a phrase that has become a meme on social media – will require extra caution from motorists and pedestrians alike.
In a surprising twist, Brown invites Chloe Swarbrick onto a mock “Christmas stage.” The former MP, known for her activism on climate change, indigenous rights, and social justice, adopts a Santa‑like persona. She delivers a short, impassioned plea for residents to act responsibly with their resources, citing the city’s increasing energy demands during the holiday season. Brown then interjects with a joke about “sleighing” the city’s traffic bottlenecks – a reference that earned a chorus of laughter on the video’s comment section.
The mayor wraps up the clip by urging residents to stay safe, enjoy the festive season, and remember that a little mindfulness goes a long way. Brown signs off with “Merry Christmas, Auckland,” leaving the audience with a memorable blend of holiday warmth and political commentary.
Why Chloe Swarbrick?
Swarbrick’s cameo is more than a gimmick. The former MP, who resigned from Parliament in 2023 to focus on community work, is an outspoken advocate for environmental stewardship and Māori empowerment. She has previously collaborated with Brown on several council initiatives aimed at improving cycling infrastructure and promoting sustainable public transport.
In the video, Swarbrick’s presence serves two purposes. First, it signals a bipartisan message: that both the mayor’s leadership and the activist community share a common interest in a safer, greener Auckland. Second, it highlights a new alliance: a group of younger, more progressive voices that Brown appears eager to incorporate into his administration. By featuring Swarbrick, Brown taps into her social‑media influence, expanding the reach of his holiday message to a broader, younger audience.
The “Stupid Season” Warning
Auckland Council’s public‑transport and road‑safety division issued an advisory in early December that the city would experience an uptick in reckless driving, pedestrian accidents, and congestion during the “stupid season.” The advisory cites a rise in holiday‑related events, increased motorbike traffic, and an influx of visitors to the waterfront and Viaduct Harbour. Brown’s reference to the phrase is a nod to the council’s data and a playful way to reinforce the importance of caution.
The “stupid season” moniker also gained traction on local social‑media channels, with residents joking about their own “stupid” holiday misadventures. The mayor’s video capitalized on that meme, turning a potential negative into an engaging talking point. By doing so, he demonstrates his awareness of the city’s digital culture while still maintaining a professional tone on the council’s platforms.
Reaction from the Public and Politicians
The video quickly went viral on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Residents praised Brown’s efforts to make municipal communications more relatable and humorous. “It’s not every day the mayor cracks jokes on a Christmas video,” wrote a user on Twitter. Others expressed skepticism, arguing that the mayor should focus on policy rather than entertaining content. Some commentators highlighted the strategic significance of featuring Swarbrick, noting that it may help the mayor solidify support among Māori and younger voters who traditionally lean towards the National Party.
Chloe Swarbrick herself reacted positively. In a brief statement posted on her personal Facebook page, she described the collaboration as “a fun way to bring a community‑first message to our city’s holiday season.” She also noted that the mayor’s partnership with the “environmental‑justice” movement could pave the way for future joint initiatives, such as increased funding for urban green‑infrastructure projects.
Additional Context from Linked Sources
The original article includes several hyperlinks that provide deeper insight into the mayor’s background, the activist’s career, and the council’s “stupid season” advisory:
- Wayne Brown’s Profile – The link leads to the Auckland Council website, where readers can explore Brown’s legislative track record and his role in the City of Auckland’s Climate Action Plan.
- Chloe Swarbrick’s Bio – A link to her personal website highlights her work with Rewilding New Zealand, her parliamentary tenure, and her recent involvement in community‑based climate‑action projects.
- Stupid Season Advisory – The council’s official advisory page includes detailed statistics on traffic accidents, pedestrian safety tips, and recommendations for holiday travel during the peak season.
- Auckland Council’s YouTube Channel – Where the Christmas video can be streamed in full, accompanied by subtitles in both English and Te Reo Māori.
These resources give readers a broader perspective on why the mayor chose to partner with Swarbrick and how the “stupid season” warning fits into Auckland’s overall public‑safety strategy.
The Bottom Line
In a city that thrives on diversity, innovation, and civic pride, Wayne Brown’s Christmas video stands out for its blend of humor, community engagement, and forward‑thinking messaging. By inviting Chloe Swarbrick onto his stage and addressing a “stupid season” warning head‑on, Brown has demonstrated a nuanced understanding of the electorate’s pulse. Whether or not the video translates into tangible policy gains remains to be seen, but it undeniably humanizes the mayor’s office and reminds residents that, during the holidays and beyond, a little kindness – both on the road and in conversation – can go a long way.
Read the Full The New Zealand Herald Article at:
[ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-mayor-wayne-browns-christmas-video-features-chloe-swarbrick-amid-stupid-season-warning/VTAEGWU5QFDJ7KTW2U2SVFBG2E/ ]