From:
Tamsyn Matchett
To:
Subject:
FW: Mayoral Christmas message filming with Chloe
Date:
Wednesday, 4 March 2026 10:26:31 am
Attachments:
Mayor"s Christmas Message.docx
Ngā mihi
Tamsyn Matchett (she/her) | Chief of Staff
Auckland Council
[mobile number]
Auckland Council, 145 Albert Street, Auckland
Private Bag 92300, Victoria St West, Auckland
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From: Tamsyn Matchett
Sent: Monday, 8 December 2025 3:12 pm
To: Chlöe Swarbrick <[email address]>; Zoë Larsen Cumming
<[email address]>
Subject: FW: Mayoral Christmas message filming with Chloe
Kia ora korua
As I mentioned earlier in the month, my team were hoping Chlöe might be interested and
available to be part of the Mayor’s Christmas message.
Details are below and attached. Please let me know your thoughts, very happy to be flexible with
both content and filming times.
Ngā mihi
Tamsyn Matchett (she/her) | Chief of Staff
Auckland Council
[mobile number]
Auckland Council, 145 Albert Street, Auckland
Private Bag 92300, Victoria St West, Auckland
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Monday, December 8, 2025 3:04 PM
To: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>
Subject: Mayoral Christmas message filming with Chloe
Kia ora Tam
Just a follow up to our conversation on the Mayor’s Christmas message.
We want the message to have something for everyone - including the many young
Aucklanders who will be headed to various festivals and events around the motu.
Given the Mayor’s cordial relationship with Chloe, we thought she might be interested in
‘jumping in’ to delivering an important message in partnership with Know Your Stuff.
I’ve attached a partial script, with additional context for the video and some
suggested dialogue between both Chloe and the Mayor.
The filming days we have booked in with the mayor are:
Friday 12 Dec, 1200-1700
Sunday 14 Dec, 0800-1700
(Not currently listed in his calendar) Wednesday 17 Dec, 0945-1700
We understand that schedules are tight in the lead up to Christmas, so there’s some potential
flexibility in our approach to filming this. Ideally, it would be great to have both Chloe and the
Mayor in the same places at the same time, although the script could be amended if this isn’t
possible.
Our ideal scenario would be:
OPTION 1
Filming somewhere outside or inside on/
near K Rd - potentially Button Factory, Friday
afternoon. (60-90mins)
PLUS an additional 15 min shoot on Wednesday 17 Dec in
Sandringham to connect the
script between our two main shoot locations
Alternatively -
OPTION 2
If Wednesday 17 Dec isn’t possible, then we could rescript so that either filming is done
purely on Friday 12 Dec
(with the Mayor)
OR
OPTION 3
The segment can be scripted so that Chloe delivers the message alone, in isolation from
the Mayor, at a time that suits her.
Our preference would be for Option 1.
Given the festive spirit and message of the video, we feel it would be nice to show both the
Mayor and Chloe interacting and bouncing off each other with a bit of banter.
Let me know if any of the above options work, or if there are any questions.
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Off to the beach? Check Safeswim before you go.
CAUTION: This email message and any attachments contain information that may be confidential and may be
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email may be those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of Council.
From:
To:
Cc:
; Alicia King
Subject:
Expenses re Xmas filming from me:
Date:
Wednesday, 25 February 2026 12:56:17 pm
Attachments:
image001.png
image002.png
image003.png
Lunch for all of us filming out at
Prop
Props – is that right
Shout if there were any more charges you recall
| Business Support
Office of the Mayor
Mobile
Auckland Council, Level 27, Te Wharau o Tāmaki Auckland House, 135 Albert Street, Auckland
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Discover things to do in your neighbourhood from OurAuckland e-news.
CAUTION: This email message and any attachments contain information that may be confidential and may be LEGALLY PRIVILEGED. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this message or attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email message in error please notify us immediately and erase all copies of the message
and attachments. We do not accept responsibility for any viruses or similar carried with our email, or any effects our email may have on the recipient computer system or network. Any views expressed in this email may be those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of Council.
From:
To:
Tamsyn Matchett
Subject:
Re: Mayor dialogue recording
Date:
Monday, 22 December 2025 4:35:36 pm
Perfect! Thank you!
From: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>
Date: Monday, 22 December 2025 at 4:28 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Subject: Fw: Mayor dialogue recording
Get
Outlook for Android
Out of Scope
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2025 12:45:00 pm
To: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>
Subject: Mayor dialogue recording
Hi Tam
Just following up from my texts.
I’m missing a small line of dialogue from the Mayor’s Christmas message. We really need it
to help set up the start of the video. I was hoping we might be able to have the Mayor record
this as VO on a phone.
The line is:
“…and frankly, poor life decisions”
This comes as the culminating line of a list of things associated with Summer and the Silly
Season:
“…that means beaches, BBQs, baches, silly hats…"
________________________________
The VO line can be easily recorded using a good phone in either a quiet outdoor location or
an indoor location with plenty soft furnishings/carpet - just no hard surfaces or echoey
rooms.
Phone placement is best about 20cm away from the mouth, beneath or to the side. We
want to avoid speaking directly into the phone mic, otherwise you create air pops. Instead
it’s best to speak past the mic.
Direction and tone:
The line creates a bit of a twist at the end of a bunch of light, positive things. The Mayor is
expressing judgement and slight annoyance - he is often the one to deal with the
consequence of others' "poor life decisions”.
Delivery should feel final and resolute because it’s the last part of the line, so it needs to
come down at the end. Good voice projection is necessary. It should feel like he’s talking to
a small audience - not a quiet, contained voice note on a phone. Decent energy to match
the previous dialogue, but line shouldn’t be rushed.
If in doubt - just a couple deliveries that gradually ramp up, including some more over the
top ones - these tend to sell best.
I’m hoping to have everything done by tomorrow for release on Wednesday 24th, so the
sooner I can get this, the better!
Let me know if there are any issues or questions.
Thanks
From:
Tamsyn Matchett
To:
Subject:
Fw: Mayor dialogue recording
Date:
Monday, 22 December 2025 4:28:05 pm
Attachments:
137 Waterfront Rd 3.m4a
137 Waterfront Rd 4.m4a
Get
Outlook for Android
Out of Scope
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2025 12:45:00 pm
To: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>
Subject: Mayor dialogue recording
Hi Tam
Just following up from my texts.
I’m missing a small line of dialogue from the Mayor’s Christmas message. We really need it
to help set up the start of the video. I was hoping we might be able to have the Mayor record
this as VO on a phone.
The line is:
“…and frankly, poor life decisions”
This comes as the culminating line of a list of things associated with Summer and the Silly
Season:
“…that means beaches, BBQs, baches, silly hats…"
________________________________
The VO line can be easily recorded using a good phone in either a quiet outdoor location or
an indoor location with plenty soft furnishings/carpet - just no hard surfaces or echoey
rooms.
Phone placement is best about 20cm away from the mouth, beneath or to the side. We
want to avoid speaking directly into the phone mic, otherwise you create air pops. Instead
it’s best to speak past the mic.
Direction and tone:
The line creates a bit of a twist at the end of a bunch of light, positive things. The Mayor is
expressing judgement and slight annoyance - he is often the one to deal with the
consequence of others' "poor life decisions”.
Delivery should feel final and resolute because it’s the last part of the line, so it needs to
come down at the end. Good voice projection is necessary. It should feel like he’s talking to
a small audience - not a quiet, contained voice note on a phone. Decent energy to match
the previous dialogue, but line shouldn’t be rushed.
If in doubt - just a couple deliveries that gradually ramp up, including some more over the
top ones - these tend to sell best.
I’m hoping to have everything done by tomorrow for release on Wednesday 24th, so the
sooner I can get this, the better!
Let me know if there are any issues or questions.
Thanks
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
To:
Tamsyn Matchett
Subject:
Mayor dialogue recording
Date:
Monday, 22 December 2025 12:44:44 pm
Attachments:
Christmas Audio Reference.mp3
Poor Life Decisions.mp3
Hi Tam
Just following up from my texts.
I’m missing a small line of dialogue from the Mayor’s Christmas message. We really need it
to help set up the start of the video. I was hoping we might be able to have the Mayor record
this as VO on a phone.
The line is:
“…and frankly, poor life decisions”
This comes as the culminating line of a list of things associated with Summer and the Silly
Season:
“…that means beaches, BBQs, baches, silly hats…"
________________________________
NOTE:
On the day, the Mayor strongly insisted adding another joke after “silly hats” (in reference to
his Rates cap hat) - this hasn’t worked in context of the edit, so I’ve cut it, but the Mayor
might still be precious about it. So might be better to avoid playing him the “beaches, BBQs,
Baches…” audio reference attached.
________________________________
The VO line can be easily recorded using a good phone in either a quiet outdoor location or
an indoor location with plenty soft furnishings/carpet - just no hard surfaces or echoey
rooms.
Phone placement is best about 20cm away from the mouth, beneath or to the side. We
want to avoid speaking directly into the phone mic, otherwise you create air pops. Instead
it’s best to speak past the mic.
Direction and tone:
The line creates a bit of a twist at the end of a bunch of light, positive things. The Mayor is
expressing judgement and slight annoyance - he is often the one to deal with the
consequence of others' "poor life decisions”.
Delivery should feel final and resolute because it’s the last part of the line, so it needs to
come down at the end. Good voice projection is necessary. It should feel like he’s talking to
a small audience - not a quiet, contained voice note on a phone. Decent energy to match
the previous dialogue, but line shouldn’t be rushed.
If in doubt - just a couple deliveries that gradually ramp up, including some more over the
top ones - these tend to sell best.
I’m hoping to have everything done by tomorrow for release on Wednesday 24th, so the
sooner I can get this, the better!
Let me know if there are any issues or questions.
Thanks
Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
To:
Alicia King
Subject:
Wednesday
Date:
Monday, 15 December 2025 3:56:28 pm
Hey Alicia
Just knee deep in post-production for the Christmas video at the mo and finding some of
the Mayor’s impromptu script changes are deflating the story arc of the video. Each section
is meant to set up for the next part, but instead some things are coming across as a bit
random because the context leading up has changed.
The good news is:
I have a few simple fixes in mind that shouldn’t affect our filming schedule (VO lines,
cutaways etc), but I feel I’m going to need your help in persuading the Mayor to oblige!
I’m wary that Wednesday will be the last day to grab anything before the Mayor disappears
for the holidays, so want to fix up all the bits while I still can.
There’s not much that can really be done in the meantime, but I just wanted to give you the
heads up with where I’m at.
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
To:
Aoife Casimera
Cc:
Dan Stark;
Tamsyn Matchett
Subject:
Re: Mayoral Christmas Message
Date:
Friday, 12 December 2025 4:13:32 pm
Attachments:
Mayor_Christmas_Shoot_Runsheet_14_Dec.docx
Kia ora Aoife,
That sounds perfect!
We will be setting up the space from 8am, so if you want to arrive for then that would be
fantastic.
And I will never say no to another pair of hands or two!
Thanks,
– Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From: Aoife Casimera <[email address]>
Date: Friday, 12 December 2025 at 4:05 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Dan Stark <[email address]>, Tamsyn Matchett
<[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayoral Christmas Message
Kia ora
,
We have two banners we can use, along with our harm reduction gear which we can set up.
What time would you like me to arrive?
Also - we have a lovely volunteer available to be a part of it if you are interested in having
two or us there.
Thanks,
Aoife (she/her)
From:
Aoife Casimera
To:
Cc:
Dan Stark;
Tamsyn Matchett
Subject:
Re: Mayoral Christmas Message
Date:
Friday, 12 December 2025 4:05:21 pm
Kia ora
We have two banners we can use, along with our harm reduction gear which we can set up.
What time would you like me to arrive?
Also - we have a lovely volunteer available to be a part of it if you are interested in having
two or us there.
Thanks,
Aoife (she/her)
From:
To:
Media; Matt Doherty
Cc:
Media; Tamsyn Matchett
Subject:
Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Filming - Sunday 14 Dec
Date:
Friday, 12 December 2025 3:52:45 pm
Attachments:
image003.png
image001.png
Mayor_Christmas_Shoot_Runsheet_14_Dec.docx
Hi Gerard,
Thank you for sorting this out for us! This works great - we’re really grateful to have the
ambulance available to us for filming.
I’ve attached a copy of the run sheet for Sunday with all contact details of relevant people.
Can we also please get a contact number for Geneivre on the day in case anything
changes?
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From: Media <[email address]>
Date: Friday, 12 December 2025 at 1:07 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>, Matt Doherty
<[email address]>
Cc: Media <[email address]>
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Filming - Sunday 14 Dec
Hi,
. I hope the day is going well?
I don’t have a mobile for you so am emailing: One of our ambulance operations
staff (Geneivre) will bring an ambulance along to Abbey Street at 10am on Sunday
for the filming.
Hope that works for you?
Thanks,
Gerard
From:
To:
Dan Stark; Aoife Casimera
Cc:
Tamsyn Matchett
Subject:
Re: Mayoral Christmas Message
Date:
Friday, 12 December 2025 3:47:12 pm
Kia ora Dan
Good catch! That sounds great - just checking that we will still have large branded Know
Your Stuff signage/flags etc?
Thanks for stepping in @Aoife Casimera - look forward to meeting you on Sunday.
I’m in the midst of filming for the video, so I wont’ be quite as responsive. If you need
anything urgent, please text or ring me directly.
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From: Dan Stark <[email address]>
Date: Friday, 12 December 2025 at 1:51 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Aoife Casimera <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayoral Christmas Message
Good afternoon
I have just realised that I am double booked for Sunday, I'm going to be in Christchurch
and I completely forgot about it. Aoife Casimera (CCd'), one of my very talented Event
Leads, will be attending in my stead, and I'm trying to rustle up one or two more
volunteers to contribute as well. I've briefed Aoife on our discussion and provided the
runsheet and timings to her and I'll stay in the loop to help out where I can from the
Mainland.
My apologies for the last-minute change of plans!
On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 at 17:16,
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
wrote:
Hi Dan
Just following up from our phone conversation, I’ve attached a partial script and some
additional context for the video.
I’ve highlighted the section that would involve the Mayor/Chloe and yourselves.
The filming is locked in for
Sunday morning - before noon - times still to be confirmed.
The script is indicative of what will be said, but is subject to change and potential ad lib
on the day. Let us know if you foresee any issues though.
In regards to setting up the space, I will speak to Gus, but I’m hoping we can create a
festival vibe.
Let me know if you have any questions, otherwise I will touch base when I have more
information.
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From: Media team <
[email address]>
Date: Monday, 8 December 2025 at 3:08 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Subject: Re: Mayoral Christmas Message
Kia ora, thanks for your enquiry. We are a small team which receives a large volume of
media requests and will reply as soon as we can. If you haven't heard back from us
within 5 working days please follow up again.
Please check the journalists portion of our webpage which may answer some of your
questions https://knowyourstuff.nz/for-journalists/
From:
Media
To:
; Matt Doherty
Cc:
Media
Subject:
RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Filming - Sunday 14 Dec
Date:
Friday, 12 December 2025 1:07:10 pm
Attachments:
image003.png
image001.png
Hi,
. I hope the day is going well?
I don’t have a mobile for you so am emailing: One of our ambulance operations
staff (Geneivre) will bring an ambulance along to Abbey Street at 10am on Sunday
for the filming.
Hope that works for you?
Thanks,
Gerard
Hato Hone St John Media Team
Hato Hone St John
| Aotearoa New Zealand P 0800 756 334
(0800 SJ MEDIA) www.stjohn.org.nz
PLEASE READ: This email inbox is actively monitored between
8:30am to 5:00pm,
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made via phone by calling 0800 756 334. Emails will not be answered after hours with
possible exception for major incidents. Please refer to our automatic reply for additional
details.
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 5:08 pm
To: Matt Doherty <[email address]>
Cc: Media <[email address]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Filming - Sunday 14 Dec
Kia ora Matt
Thanks for the prompt reply!
I’m not sure how much information you received, but here’s a brief outline of what we’re
doing:
In preparation for the silly season, the Mayor is recording a Christmas message for
Aucklanders with an overall theme of safety and care for the environment. The video spans
a broad range of safety/common sense areas: from avoiding undercooked sausages at the
BBQ, to basic road, water and sun safety.
This Sunday morning (14 Dec) we are filming a segment at 2 Abbey Street (behind K rd) in
collaboration with Auckland Central MP, Chloe Swarbrick, Know Your Stuff and the Button
Factory. We will be highlighting a need for young people to keep themselves safe at
festivals and events - with a reference to our health workers and ambulances in the script.
We were hoping to have an ambulance available to be filmed as part of the segment.
Filming is taking place from 9AM-12PM, but we would only require the ambulance for ~30
mins, likely around 10.15AM.
We’re happy to feature any paramedics or health workers if they would like to feature,
otherwise just filming the vehicle is fine.
Let me know if this sounds workable for you.
Thanks,
– Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From: Matt Doherty <[email address]>
Date: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 at 4:34 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Media <[email address]>
Subject: Filming - Sunday 14 Dec
Hello
I received your enquiry regarding filming this Sunday.
Sounds like a really positive message! I am copying in our media team who should be able to
assist further with providing what you need from a St John perspective.
If you can reply with as much details as possible, and what you exactly require from us, I am sure
we can make something work.
Thanks,
Matt
Matt Doherty
Operations Manager | Event Health Services – Northern
Hato Hone Waka Manaaki o Aotearoa | St John Ambulance New Zealand
Mobile: +64 27 253 2664
Email: [email address]
Postal: Event Health Services HQ | 2 Harrison Road | Mt Wellington | Auckland 1060
www.stjohn.org.nz
Please consider the environment before printing this email
This email message and any accompanying attachments are IN-CONFIDENCE to St John. It
is only intended for the person or organisation to which it is addressed and may contain
confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient do not read,
use, disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail message and attachments. If you have
received this email message in error please notify the sender or the St John ICT Service
Desk immediately by e-mail via [email address] and delete this e-mail message
from your system.
Off to the beach? Check Safeswim before you go.
CAUTION: This email message and any attachments contain information that may be confidential and may be
LEGALLY PRIVILEGED. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this message or
attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email message in error please notify us immediately and
erase all copies of the message and attachments. We do not accept responsibility for any viruses or similar carried with
our email, or any effects our email may have on the recipient computer system or network. Any views expressed in this
email may be those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of Council.
From:
Media
To:
; Media; Matt Doherty
Cc:
Media
Subject:
RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Filming - Sunday 14 Dec
Date:
Thursday, 11 December 2025 5:52:00 pm
Attachments:
image005.png
Kia ora,
Thanks for the email. Apologies for the delay.
I think we can help but I need to confirm with the ambulance operations person
who is back at work tomorrow. I’ll be in touch!
Thanks,
Gerard
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Thursday, 11 December 2025 4:41 pm
To: Media <[email address]>; Matt Doherty <[email address]>
Cc: Media <[email address]>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Filming - Sunday 14 Dec
You don't often get email from [email address]. Learn why this is important
Kia ora Gerard,
Have you had much success with being able to secure us an ambulance?
Much appreciated,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From: Media <
[email address]>
Date: Thursday, 11 December 2025 at 8:41 AM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>, Matt Doherty
<[email address]>
Cc: Media <[email address]>
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Filming - Sunday 14 Dec
Mōrena,
and Matt,
I’m looking at this for you this morning so will be back in touch asap once I’ve got
something locked in with the operations team.
Nga mihi nui,
Gerard
Gerard Campbell
External Communications Specialist
St John New Zealand
| Hato Hone Aotearoa
M +64 27 567 2083
E [email address]
Building A, Level 3, 600 Great South Rd I Ellerslie I Auckland 1051 I
New Zealand
Private Bag 14902 I Panmure I Auckland 1741 I New Zealand
www.stjohn.org.nz
Please consider the environment before printing this email
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 5:08 pm
To: Matt Doherty <[email address]>
Cc: Media <[email address]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Filming - Sunday 14 Dec
Kia ora Matt
Thanks for the prompt reply!
I’m not sure how much information you received, but here’s a brief outline of what we’re
doing:
In preparation for the silly season, the Mayor is recording a Christmas message for
Aucklanders with an overall theme of safety and care for the environment. The video spans
a broad range of safety/common sense areas: from avoiding undercooked sausages at the
BBQ, to basic road, water and sun safety.
This Sunday morning (14 Dec) we are filming a segment at 2 Abbey Street (behind K rd) in
collaboration with Auckland Central MP, Chloe Swarbrick, Know Your Stuff and the Button
Factory. We will be highlighting a need for young people to keep themselves safe at
festivals and events - with a reference to our health workers and ambulances in the script.
We were hoping to have an ambulance available to be filmed as part of the segment.
Filming is taking place from 9AM-12PM, but we would only require the ambulance for ~30
mins, likely around 10.15AM.
We’re happy to feature any paramedics or health workers if they would like to feature,
otherwise just filming the vehicle is fine.
Let me know if this sounds workable for you.
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From: Matt Doherty <[email address]>
Date: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 at 4:34 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Media <[email address]>
Subject: Filming - Sunday 14 Dec
Hello
I received your enquiry regarding filming this Sunday.
Sounds like a really positive message! I am copying in our media team who should be able to
assist further with providing what you need from a St John perspective.
If you can reply with as much details as possible, and what you exactly require from us, I am sure
we can make something work.
Thanks,
Matt
From:
To:
Gus Simonovic
; The Button Factory
Cc:
Tamsyn Matchett
Subject:
Re: Mayoral Office Christmas Video
Date:
Thursday, 11 December 2025 4:19:19 pm
Attachments:
Mayor_Christmas_Shoot_Runsheet_14_Dec.docx
Hi Gus
Yup - definitely starting to come together!
Obviously as you mentioned, there will be the remaining decor and setup from Saturday
night that we can make use of.
It would also be great if on the Sunday morning we are able to create a bit of a 'festival
tunnel’ so that we fill the entire frame up with pops of colour, texture, atmosphere. We
wouldn’t need to fill the space, but just create a pathway that the camera can move along
where peripheries are filled.
I think this could be achieved with a mix of hanging fabrics, bunting, plants/ greenery,
lighting, fog, bubbles. Having little colourful pieces suspended in the foreground (even held
by people) would be effective on camera.
There will be some filming outside too, so if you can think of any simple ways to enhance
the space then I’m open to that - but otherwise I can shoot a tight frame and keep the focus
on the ambulance.
I’ve created a board here for some inspiration:
https://pin.it/5C9pO2o69
The plan for Sunday would be:
8am -
, Know Your Stuff, and others to arrive at Button Factory to set up the space.
9am - Chloe & Mayor arrive.
9.15am - Filming begins
~10am - St John’s Ambulance arrives outside
10.30am - Filming finishes
After that, Chloe, the Mayor + myself travel to a second location for filming.
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From: Gus Simonovic <[email address]>
Date: Thursday, 11 December 2025 at 1:46 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>, The Button Factory
<[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayoral Office Christmas Video
Hi
Good chatting today, it feels the puzzle is coming together
Yuli (cc-ed)
, who you ,et yesterday ...
Will be there 8am Sunday
Looking forward to receiving more info about the look/set up
See you Saturday night 9-10pm
Gus
Ngā mihi nui,
(Kind regards)
The Button Factory HQ
A vibrant creative community
in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau
w. thebuttonfactory.co.nz
e. [email address]
On Tue, 9 Dec 2025, 17:57
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
wrote:
Hi Gus
Good to chat earlier and great to have your support.
I’ve attached a partial copy of the script for you to have a look at - I’ve highlighted the part
From:
Alicia King
To:
Tamsyn Matchett
Subject:
Release form for summer christmas message
Date:
Thursday, 11 December 2025 11:47:10 am
Attachments:
251211 RELEASE FORM summer christmas message.docx
Hey, double-checking this doesn't need a legal check?
It is pretty standard, but don't want to assume
Kia ora rawa atu,
Alicia King | Head of Communications
[A-liss-e-a] | Auckland Mayoral Office Waea pūkoro / Phone 022 084 7609
Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Council
Level 27, Te Wharau o Tāmaki Auckland House, 135 Albert Street,
Auckland
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Follow the Mayor of Auckland Facebook
Instagram LinkedIn Threads Twitter YouTube
From:
To:
Alicia King
Subject:
Christmas Filming
Date:
Thursday, 11 December 2025 10:29:57 am
Attachments:
Screenshot 2025-12-11 at 10.24.01 AM.png
Hey Alicia
Currently the plan is to get the bulk of filming done on Wednesday next week at
house, but the forecast is looking a bit ropey.
We will be filming a small bit on Sunday at
, but I wonder if it might be worth
considering doing some additional filming for the outside bits then.
I’m just wary that after Wednesday, there’s no opportunities for pick ups, so it’s quite risky
with a lot resting on that day.
Thoughts?
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
Dan Stark
To:
Subject:
Re: Mayoral Christmas Message
Date:
Wednesday, 10 December 2025 3:22:08 pm
Cheers
I'll run this via our leadership for clearance!
On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 at 17:16,
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
wrote:
Hi Dan
Just following up from our phone conversation, I’ve attached a partial script and some
additional context for the video.
I’ve highlighted the section that would involve the Mayor/Chloe and yourselves.
The filming is locked in for
Sunday morning - before noon - times still to be confirmed.
The script is indicative of what will be said, but is subject to change and potential ad lib
on the day. Let us know if you foresee any issues though.
In regards to setting up the space, I will speak to Gus, but I’m hoping we can create a
festival vibe.
Let me know if you have any questions, otherwise I will touch base when I have more
information.
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From: Media team <
[email address]>
Date: Monday, 8 December 2025 at 3:08 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Subject: Re: Mayoral Christmas Message
Kia ora, thanks for your enquiry. We are a small team which receives a large volume of
media requests and will reply as soon as we can. If you haven't heard back from us
within 5 working days please follow up again.
Please check the journalists portion of our webpage which may answer some of your
questions https://knowyourstuff.nz/for-journalists/
Off to the beach? Check Safeswim before you go.
CAUTION: This email message and any attachments contain information that may be confidential and may be
LEGALLY PRIVILEGED. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this message or
attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email message in error please notify us immediately and
erase all copies of the message and attachments. We do not accept responsibility for any viruses or similar carried
with our email, or any effects our email may have on the recipient computer system or network. Any views expressed
in this email may be those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of Council.
--
Ngā mihi,
Dan Stark
Auckland Regional Manager
From:
To:
[email address]
Cc:
Alicia King
Subject:
Mayoral Office Christmas Video
Date:
Tuesday, 9 December 2025 5:55:12 pm
Attachments:
Mayor"s Christmas Message.docx
Hi Gus
Good to chat earlier and great to have your support.
I’ve attached a partial copy of the script for you to have a look at - I’ve highlighted the part
that would involve yourselves, Know Your Stuff, Chloe and the Mayor.
It would be great to set up the space - either inside or outside - as a bit of a makeshift
festival. I’m open to your ideas on what we could achieve here that would create visual
impact for the least effort!
I’ve just pulled some references that might be helpful in giving an idea of the energy, pacing
and style of the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB-uVFz6wz8
https://youtu.be/oTzOIg2jwSQ
Here’s also an example of the sort of stuff we have produced before:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHjbVsqAf4j/
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7233914855122948097/
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7275676899991822338
Again, just confirming that we have locked in Sunday morning (before noon) for filming.
Send any relevant photos of the space or any assets you have that might be useful to us.
I’ll have more information for you tomorrow.
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
To:
Parul Sood
Cc:
Alicia King; Stu Mullin
Subject:
Prop request for Mayoral Office filming
Date:
Tuesday, 9 December 2025 12:15:40 pm
Attachments:
img-b9f4322c-0c4c-4bfe-9a29-eb19757e1c8a
Hi Parul
I was pointed in your direction by Stu in our office, who mentioned you might be able to find
us a litter picker for an upcoming video shoot with the Mayor.
We’re recording a Christmas video with a core message of safety and care for the
environment, including a message about taking your rubbish with you and not littering our
natural environment.
I was hoping we could borrow a litter picker - specifically the claw grabber type with a
handle and trigger.
Is this something you might be able to help us with?
Thanks!
Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
To:
[email address];
[email address]
Cc:
Simon Johnston; Tamsyn Matchett
Subject:
Mayoral Christmas Message
Date:
Monday, 8 December 2025 3:07:38 pm
Kia ora
I’m reaching out on behalf of the Mayor of Auckland. We’re producing a Christmas video
message for the Mayor with a core message of safety and care for the environment
and wanted to see if you would like to feature.
The premise for the video is that over Summer, we know that people tend to get a bit a silly.
While the Mayor likes to enjoy the holiday as much as anybody else, he wants to remind
Aucklanders in his typical “no-nonsense” manner to have fun, but stay sensible. That
means avoiding undercooked sausages at the BBQ, and remembering basic road, water
and sun safety.
Given the numbers of young people that attend festivals and other events, we wanted to
include a section about staying safe in the rave. We envisaged a segment led by the Mayor
and Chloe Swarbrick that speaks to the Know Your Stuff service.
We would be looking to film somewhere in the city centre - likely K road. Just thinking
some branded signage and a member of the Know Your Stuff team in a T-shirt would be
great to feature. This person wouldn’t necessarily need to say anything, although you
would be welcome to use this as an opportunity for your own comms.
Let us know if this sounds like something you would be interested in.
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
To:
Tamsyn Matchett
Cc:
Alicia King
Subject:
Mayoral Christmas message filming with Chloe
Date:
Monday, 8 December 2025 3:04:13 pm
Attachments:
Mayor"s Christmas Message.docx
Kia ora Tam
Just a follow up to our conversation on the Mayor’s Christmas message.
We want the message to have something for everyone - including the many young
Aucklanders who will be headed to various festivals and events around the motu.
Given the Mayor’s cordial relationship with Chloe, we thought she might be interested in
‘jumping in’ to delivering an important message in partnership with Know Your Stuff.
I’ve attached a partial script, with additional context for the video and some
suggested dialogue between both Chloe and the Mayor.
The filming days we have booked in with the mayor are:
Friday 12 Dec, 1200-1700
Sunday 14 Dec, 0800-1700
(Not currently listed in his calendar) Wednesday 17 Dec, 0945-1700
We understand that schedules are tight in the lead up to Christmas, so there’s some
potential flexibility in our approach to filming this. Ideally, it would be great to have both
Chloe and the Mayor in the same places at the same time, although the script could be
amended if this isn’t possible.
Our ideal scenario would be:
OPTION 1
Filming somewhere outside or inside on/
near K Rd - potentially Button Factory, Friday
afternoon. (60-90mins)
PLUS an additional 15 min shoot on Wednesday 17 Dec in
Sandringham to connect the
script between our two main shoot locations
Alternatively -
OPTION 2
If Wednesday 17 Dec isn’t possible, then we could rescript so that either filming is done
purely on Friday 12 Dec
(with the Mayor)
OR
OPTION 3
The segment can be scripted so that Chloe delivers the message alone, in isolation from
the Mayor, at a time that suits her.
Our preference would be for Option 1.
Given the festive spirit and message of the video, we feel it would be nice to show both the
Mayor and Chloe interacting and bouncing off each other with a bit of banter.
Let me know if any of the above options work, or if there are any questions.
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
To:
Priscilla Southcombe
Subject:
Mayor"s Christmas Message
Date:
Monday, 1 December 2025 2:31:06 pm
Hi Priscilla
Here’s all the script that might be relevant for you:
Script:
Me again. As some of you might have noticed, it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. That
means beaches, BBQs, baches, silly hats–and frankly, poor life decisions.
I don’t know about you, but my plans are to bugger off up North, go surfing, drink beer, and
be merry/ and try forget about all the dumb stuff I have to put up with as Mayor.
All I want for Christmas is 5 minutes of quiet. No crisis, no phone calls, no fixing everyone’s
problems. But every year without fail, we seem to suffer a severe drought of common
sense. It’s called the silly season, but perhaps we ought to rename it the stupid season.
So in the spirit of us all staying sane this summer, I thought I’d share a few pearls of
wisdom.
TITLE CARD + MUSIC CHANGE
Let’s start with the basics, alright?
If you’re travelling this Christmas, allow me to introduce you to two marvellous innovations:
mirrors and indicators. Don’t forget to use these when you shoot off to the Coromandel in
the RAV4. And please check your surfboards are tied down properly.
If you’ve been on the G&Ts, stay away from high places. Let the grandkids put up those last-
minute decorations. They’re smaller, lighter and don’t have bills to pay. If they want
presents, they can pitch in. “Go on, up you go”
Now people love to blame me when it rains, but rarely do I get credit for the lovely weather,
like today. Just remember though, that giant nuclear reactor in the sky – called the sun -
burns at 15 million degrees. So stick a hat on, stay hydrated and if you’re paler than milk,
maybe slap some cream on.
*PHONE BUZZING – Wayne rejects call*
Speaking of cream, make sure you apply rigorously to your pavlova. If you invite any Aussies
over for lunch though, avoid the pavlova debate. Best to keep politics out of Christmas,
right Chris?
LUXON (options):
Well what I would say to you is… the pavlova is uniquely kiwi, and we’re focused on aligning
all stakeholders to ensure the fruit topping reflects our national identity. We need to take a
practical, back-to-basics approach. That means fresh New Zealand cream, strawberries,
kiwis
*BACK TO WAYNE*
Classic Wellington, always telling us how to do stuff.
We are blessed with a stunning natural environment. If we want to keep it that way, don’t
leave your rubbish on the beach. Be a tidy kiwi and clean up after yourself. And while you’re
there, listen to the lifeguards. The clue is in the name. “Life–Guard”.
Or when you go to Browny’s pool, remember this bit’s shallow and this bit’s deep. If you
can’t tell the difference or tread water, maybe stick to dry land–alright?
*PHONE RINGS – Wayne answers disgruntled*
NOT NOW!
Serving your guests undercooked saussies will win you a shortcut to the naughty list / will
make your Christmas unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. Nobody will thank you for
getting the trots on Boxing day. Remember: cook em low and slow, right Chris? Wait, you’re
not Chris.
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
Stu Mullin
To:
[email address]
Subject:
FW: Mayor"s Christmas Message featuring the Prime Minister
Date:
Friday, 28 November 2025 11:53:00 am
Attachments:
Mayor"s Christmas Message PM Role.docx
Finn,
Keen to chat about this – would be an awesome opportunity subject to diary commitments.
Note the script attached is not the whole video (just the bit with your boss)
The previous Xmas videos have always been a bit of fun, and have done very well on the
socials.
Stu
Stu Mullin
Head of Governance
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Waea pūkoro / Phone 021 172 8105
Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Council
Level 27, Te Wharau o Tāmaki Auckland House, 135 Albert Street, Auckland
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Friday, 28 November 2025 11:46 am
To: Stu Mullin <[email address]>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>;
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>; Tamsyn Matchett
<[email address]>
Subject: Mayor's Christmas Message featuring the Prime Minister
Hi Stu
Please find the attached document, detailing the idea for the Mayor's Christmas Message.
There are two scenes where we would ideally like to feature the Prime Minister. I’ve
highlighted his potential dialogue in the document.
These scenes would sit among several others in a montage style. The spontaneous cameos
would be part of the comedy, as they will be unexpected. Both the Mayor and the Prime
Minister would be seen to be ‘in’ on the joke and self-aware. The delivery of lines would be
dry and deadpan so that the humour feels naturally kiwi.
I understand there are limitations to availability so here are some potential filming options:
1. Filmed in Wellington at the Beehive theatrette, where press conferences are held.
This would be composited into a TV in the scene.
a. Easiest to film
b. Visual gag would be a bit limited though, so comedic payoff would be less
2. Filmed on location in Auckland, at a time that suited the Prime Minister.
a. The Mayor would not need to be there at the same time, as it would be shot so
that neither of them appear in the same frame.
3. Filmed on location in Auckland with both the Prime Minister and the Mayor present.
a. This would be the ideal option, as both the PM and Mayor would be able to
bounce off each other’s energy to get the best performance
b. Also potential for Christmas photos or video for the PM’s own channels
featuring the Mayor
As I mention above option 3 would be preferable, but we could potentially work around the
PM’s schedule if there isn’t alignment.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
To:
[email address]
Subject:
Mayor"s Christmas Message
Date:
Thursday, 27 November 2025 5:55:14 pm
Hi Leigh
Just reaching out on behalf of the Mayor. We’re filming a funny Christmas message in
December and the Mayor has asked if you would like to feature?
The scene would be you and the Mayor BBQ-ing some sausages followed by a bit of a gag.
We have an outline of a script that we can send through to you, but checking if this is
something you’d be interested in / available for.
Thanks,
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
To:
;
Cc:
Alicia King; Tamsyn Matchett
Subject:
RE: Mayor"s Christmas Message
Date:
Thursday, 27 November 2025 11:23:29 am
Copy to
, thanks.
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Thursday, 27 November 2025 11:22 am
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>; Tamsyn Matchett
<[email address]>
Subject: Mayor's Christmas Message
Hi
Can I get 5-10 mins of the Mayor’s time today to take him through the script I have prepared
for his Christmas message.
Rather than putting it in the Mayor’s pack, it’s important that I get buy-in from him and he
understands the vision and value of producing the video. Then I can have much more
certainty over the plans for filming dates, times and places.
Let me know if you have any questions
Thanks!
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
To:
Alicia King;
Subject:
Re: Christmas video help
Date:
Wednesday, 26 November 2025 12:45:09 pm
You get all three!!!
From: Alicia King <[email address]>
Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2025 at 12:40 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>,
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Subject: Re: Christmas video help
Do I get one?!
Kia ora rawa atu,
Alicia King | Head of Communications
[A-liss-e-a] | Auckland Mayoral Office Waea pūkoro / Phone 022 084 7609
Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Council
Level 27, Te Wharau o Tāmaki Auckland House, 135 Albert Street,
Auckland
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Follow the Mayor of Auckland Facebook
Instagram LinkedIn Threads Twitter YouTube
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, 26 November 2025 12:33 pm
To: Alicia King <[email address]>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Subject: Re: Christmas video help
Roger that!
...Coffee, lion red or red bull - those are the options!
From: Alicia King <[email address]>
Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2025 at 12:30 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>,
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Subject: Re: Christmas video help
Hi
, I know I said I'm happy for additional hands when we are filming in public but
please do CC me in these sorts of queries, as this involves asking another staffer from
another division to help with our work.
Cheers ears,
And thank you,
, for helping here! We really do need some extra hands when filming in
public, if possible. Re perks,
will buy them a coffee?
Kia ora rawa atu,
Alicia King | Head of Communications
[A-liss-e-a] | Auckland Mayoral Office Waea pūkoro / Phone 022 084 7609
Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Council
Level 27, Te Wharau o Tāmaki Auckland House, 135 Albert Street,
Auckland
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Follow the Mayor of Auckland Facebook
Instagram LinkedIn Threads Twitter YouTube
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, 26 November 2025 12:23 pm
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Christmas video help
Hi C.
Hold the line, caller — I’ll come back to you both on this.
I’ll need to check their availability for the two filming days, which I can see in the Mayor’s diary are
Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 December.
I understand that the main perk is the opportunity to work with the mayor for a short time.
When I reach out, is there another perk I could mention? I don’t believe we’re able to offer a
higher duty allowance given the work is less than a week, but I can check that if needed.
Thanks
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, 26 November 2025 11:59 am
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Subject: Christmas video help
Hi
You mentioned before that there was another person in Council who you thought would be
good to help out for my filming?
Just thought with the Christmas filming coming up, it would be good to have a sit down chat
and maybe go through some of the details?
Thanks!
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Discover things to do in your neighbourhood from OurAuckland e-news.
CAUTION: This email message and any attachments contain information that may be confidential and may be
LEGALLY PRIVILEGED. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this message or
attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email message in error please notify us immediately and
erase all copies of the message and attachments. We do not accept responsibility for any viruses or similar carried with
our email, or any effects our email may have on the recipient computer system or network. Any views expressed in this
email may be those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of Council.
From:
Alicia King
To:
Tamsyn Matchett;
Subject:
Re: Mayor"s Christmas Message
Date:
Tuesday, 25 November 2025 12:34:03 pm
and I are also going to mention it to him when he gets back from GB, will reiterate the
importance of getting some decent footage in different places, we will make it work
Kia ora rawa atu,
Alicia King | Head of Communications
[A-liss-e-a] | Auckland Mayoral Office Waea pūkoro / Phone 022 084 7609
Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Council
Level 27, Te Wharau o Tāmaki Auckland House, 135 Albert Street,
Auckland
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Follow the Mayor of Auckland Facebook
Instagram LinkedIn Threads Twitter YouTube
From: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, 25 November 2025 12:31 pm
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>; Alicia King <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayor's Christmas Message
Agree re getting him on board before he goes to Argentina. If you can finish drafting the
script, I'd suggest taking him through that, along with the planned approach, on Thursday or
Friday.
Get
Outlook for Android
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 12:27:04 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>; Alicia King
<[email address]>; Tamsyn Matchett
<[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayor's Christmas Message
I think
we were going to try split up the commitments into 3-4 half days?
@Alicia King @Tamsyn Matchett I think we need to get him fully on board with this. I’ve
taken him through the idea very briefly while filming the Future Fund video, but there needs
to be some buy in.
It’s a bit of a moving beast so I’m a bit concerned that if the Mayor hasn’t fully realised the
value in the Christmas message, then we might encounter some issues with ideas/scripts
not matching up with the time available/allocated.
I’m trying to get a version of the script finished today so that we can start to plan around this
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Date: Tuesday, 25 November 2025 at 12:18 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>, Alicia King
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Mayor's Christmas Message
Do we want to get his blessing on doing this as I have a lot of ‘meeting/visit needs to happen
before Christmas’ requests from him and limited time if we’re knocking out a 1.5 days to do this
– all day 17th and morning of 18th – happy to send the original email home to Mayor to
review/decide?
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2025 3:48 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>; Alicia King
<[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayor's Christmas Message
Hey
- absolutely. Please keep his calendar open for filming - I am in the process of
trying to pull together the different components of the filming schedule.
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Date: Monday, 24 November 2025 at 3:45 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>, Alicia King
<[email address]>
Subject: FW: Mayor's Christmas Message
We still keeping time blocked out - 17/18 – if this has been sounded out with him
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 2:08 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>; Tamsyn Matchett
<[email address]>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>; Stu Mullin
<[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayor's Christmas Message
Thanks
As mentioned, we’re looking to pull in a few collaborators so looking to find mutual dates of
alignment with them too.
If we reach out to them today and get their availability then can we try work those in with
the Mayor’s calendar?
Also don’t want it to get too late - as I still have to edit the whole thing and would rather not
be working Xmas Eve/day!
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025 at 2:04 PM
To: Tamsyn Matchett <
[email address]>,
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>,
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>, Stu Mullin
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Mayor's Christmas Message
Yes Sydney out last I heard - Wed 17/Thurs 18th open so will block that out and try keep free and
assume Fri 21st he’ll be off
From: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 1:55 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>; Stu Mullin
<[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayor's Christmas Message
Inclusive of the 12th! Before Argentina looks pretty difficult for filming but I would definitely
bring him before he leaves.
Get
Outlook for Android
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 1:50:59 PM
To: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>;
<
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>; Stu Mullin
<[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayor's Christmas Message
3-4 half days sounds good, it spreads risk and provides contingency too.
So just checking, you're suggesting that we do filming after 12 December? That’s fine and
gives us lots of time to prep - just as long as he doesn’t suddenly decide to head North
earlier than planned!
From: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>
Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025 at 12:50 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>,
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>,
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>, Stu Mullin
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Mayor's Christmas Message
Hi
I love ambitious and I think it’s important he do something cool and memorable.
My suggestion is to lock in say 3-4 half days for now from 12 December onwards (check w
but I think the Sydney dates are coming out of the calendar). That way, you’ve got a bit to work
with and you can cancel surplus time once you’ve nailed down the scope.
It’s pretty hard to a get a full day with him…
Ngā mihi
Tamsyn Matchett (she/her) | Chief of Staff
Auckland Council
[mobile number]
Auckland Council, 145 Albert Street, Auckland
Private Bag 92300, Victoria St West, Auckland
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 12:43 PM
To: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>; Stu Mullin
<[email address]>
Subject: Mayor's Christmas Message
Hi Tam,
I’m hoping to follow your lead on how we best handle organising filming time with the Mayor
for his Christmas message.
I’m hoping to have a pitch written today that we can send out to various potential
collaborators - Surf lifesaving, Eden Park, SeaCleaners, Chloe Swarbrick, The PM, Deputy
Mayor Desley, Know Your Stuff etc.
Realistically we will need probably
1 full day to do most of the filming with perhaps a few
small filming pickups done at flexible times that suit either collaborator/Mayor.
I’m still working away on the idea/script, but am planning for contingency in case the
weather doesn’t play nicely.
Ideally filming will be
both inside and outside, with a mix of
potential locations being:
Mayor’s Library
Presser/Standup area
A nice Christmas-y Ponsonby villa - lounge/kitchen/garden
(open to suggestions!!)
Browny’s pool
Viaduct harbour
Wayne’s boat
Beach
K Rd
Eden Park
A pub / Bar / restaurant
The domain / Vic park
These are just some that spring to mind - likely only to be
some of these. This is just to give
an initial sense though of the potential logistics required.
The script will provide greater clarity over each scene/scenario and the relevant
location/setup requirements.
I’m wary that time is quickly passing us by, so we need to lock in time now and get enough
people on board with the idea. The Mayor has already indicated support for it with me.
How do you want to proceed regarding allocating the Mayor’s time / finding crossover with
potential collaborators?
I’m aware this probably sounds quite ambitious - we will likely scale back to something
more realistic, but better to start with the big vision first!
We also have very limited evergreen content of the Mayor out the office, so this would be
useful for us beyond just the Christmas period.
The attached doc is just for
INTERNAL purposes only, to provide bit more of vision and
From:
To:
Alicia King;
Tamsyn Matchett
Subject:
Re: Mayor"s Christmas Message
Date:
Tuesday, 25 November 2025 12:27:15 pm
I think
we were going to try split up the commitments into 3-4 half days?
@Alicia King @Tamsyn Matchett I think we need to get him fully on board with this. I’ve
taken him through the idea very briefly while filming the Future Fund video, but there needs
to be some buy in.
It’s a bit of a moving beast so I’m a bit concerned that if the Mayor hasn’t fully realised the
value in the Christmas message, then we might encounter some issues with ideas/scripts
not matching up with the time available/allocated.
I’m trying to get a version of the script finished today so that we can start to plan around this
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Date: Tuesday, 25 November 2025 at 12:18 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>, Alicia King
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Mayor's Christmas Message
Do we want to get his blessing on doing this as I have a lot of ‘meeting/visit needs to happen
before Christmas’ requests from him and limited time if we’re knocking out a 1.5 days to do this
– all day 17th and morning of 18th – happy to send the original email home to Mayor to
review/decide?
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2025 3:48 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>; Alicia King
<[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayor's Christmas Message
Hey
- absolutely. Please keep his calendar open for filming - I am in the process of
trying to pull together the different components of the filming schedule.
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Date: Monday, 24 November 2025 at 3:45 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>, Alicia King
<[email address]>
Subject: FW: Mayor's Christmas Message
We still keeping time blocked out - 17/18 – if this has been sounded out with him
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 2:08 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>; Tamsyn Matchett
<[email address]>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>; Stu Mullin
<[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayor's Christmas Message
Thanks
As mentioned, we’re looking to pull in a few collaborators so looking to find mutual dates of
alignment with them too.
If we reach out to them today and get their availability then can we try work those in with
the Mayor’s calendar?
Also don’t want it to get too late - as I still have to edit the whole thing and would rather not
be working Xmas Eve/day!
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025 at 2:04 PM
To: Tamsyn Matchett <
[email address]>,
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>,
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>, Stu Mullin
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Mayor's Christmas Message
Yes Sydney out last I heard - Wed 17/Thurs 18th open so will block that out and try keep free and
assume Fri 21st he’ll be off
From: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 1:55 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>; Stu Mullin
<[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayor's Christmas Message
Inclusive of the 12th! Before Argentina looks pretty difficult for filming but I would definitely
bring him before he leaves.
Get
Outlook for Android
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 1:50:59 PM
To: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>;
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>; Stu Mullin
<[email address]>
Subject: Re: Mayor's Christmas Message
3-4 half days sounds good, it spreads risk and provides contingency too.
So just checking, you're suggesting that we do filming after 12 December? That’s fine and
gives us lots of time to prep - just as long as he doesn’t suddenly decide to head North
earlier than planned!
From: Tamsyn Matchett <[email address]>
Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025 at 12:50 PM
To:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>,
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>,
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Cc: Alicia King <[email address]>, Stu Mullin
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Mayor's Christmas Message
Hi
I love ambitious and I think it’s important he do something cool and memorable.
My suggestion is to lock in say 3-4 half days for now from 12 December onwards (check w Eddie
but I think the Sydney dates are coming out of the calendar). That way, you’ve got a bit to work
with and you can cancel surplus time once you’ve nailed down the scope.
It’s pretty hard to a get a full day with him…
Ngā mihi
Tamsyn Matchett (she/her) | Chief of Staff
Auckland Council
[mobile number]
Auckland Council, 145 Albert Street, Auckland
Private Bag 92300, Victoria St West, Auckland
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 12:43 PM
From:
To:
Subject:
For colour print
Date:
Monday, 17 November 2025 1:43:46 pm
Attachments:
251117 Mayors Christmas Message Pitch.docx
| Senior Advisor – Policy and Communications
Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Visit our website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
From:
To:
Subject:
Other ideas for your video
Date:
Friday, 14 November 2025 12:45:46 pm
Silly Things Not to Do at Christmas
Work related
Don’t work on Christmas eve
Don’t schedule “just one more meeting” on Christmas Eve — no one will thank you.
Don’t promise you’ll clear the inbox before the holidays… we all know how that
ends.
Don’t send out a 20-page briefing on the 24th unless you want to be on the naughty
list.
Don’t accidentally CC the entire council when you meant to email just one person.
Don’t rely on the office Christmas treats to be your lunch — they disappear fast.
Don’t volunteer to decorate the office tree unless you’re ready for strong opinions.
Don’t book the Mayor for overlapping events and hope for “Christmas miracles.”
Don’t start a debate about who’s responsible for the shared drive folders — not in
December.
Don’t test the Auto Framing camera during the carols; it
will catch someone mid-
sing.
Don’t assume “quiet December” actually exists in local government.
Don’t try to get ICT support in the last 10 minutes before close — they can smell
fear.
Don’t say “this will only take a minute” when sending tasks to your team; everyone
knows better.
Don’t organise a Christmas morning media request unless you want to be
unfriended.
Don’t attempt to tidy the Mayor’s schedule on the 23rd — let’s just survive the
week.
Public
Don’t leave your Christmas shopping until 11:55pm on Christmas Eve.
Don’t try to untangle last year’s Christmas lights
without emotional support.
Don’t eat Christmas ham for breakfast, lunch, and dinner… on the same day.
Don’t attempt a “quick” trip to the mall on Christmas Eve (a guaranteed survival mission).
Don’t pretend you’ll “just have one” chocolate from the box.
Don’t start a family Monopoly game unless you enjoy chaos.
Don’t volunteer to cook the roast if you’ve only ever cooked noodles.
Don’t wrap gifts with one tiny piece of tape and pure hope.
Don’t say “I’ll be healthy over the holidays” unless you’re ready to lie to yourself.
Don’t watch a tear-jerker Christmas movie and pretend you’re not crying.
Don’t forget where you hid the gifts… again.
Don’t try to assemble anything labelled “easy to build.” It’s always a lie.
Don’t plan to “just pop in” to a Christmas party. You’re not going home early.
Don’t give someone a gift and say, “It was on sale,” unless you want
the look.
Don’t leave baking to the last minute unless you enjoy smoke alarms.
| Team Leader – Mayoral Support
