Wayne Brown has wished Aucklanders well on Friday, for the second official public holiday to celebrate Matariki - marking the Māori New Year.
The Mayor of Tāmaki Makaurau attended the hautapu ceremony hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei at Takaparawhau/Bastion point before dawn, alongside politicians and the public.
Newshub asked Mayor Brown how his Matariki celebrations were going at Takaparawhau/Bastion Point Friday morning.
"[I was] up bright and early, cold. And appreciating the good kōrero from the young speakers."
He added it was nice to see his friend Ngarimu Blair, the deputy chair of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust concluding the speeches and welcoming the hundreds gathered early morning.
"And celebrating what is now part of New Zealand's culture," said Brown.
Newshub asked what the mayor was hoping for in the New Year.
"I'm looking forward to this year taking Tāmaki Makaurau forward in a prosperous way, and I'll have to work with whoever wins the election."
He also saw what message politicians were writing to send to Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, the wishing star of Matariki, while he was sitting next to them.
"Both sides were wishing to win the election! Not my problem this year - I've done that!"
Brown thanked everyone for attending the hautapu ceremony, in which hosts Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei carried out the umu kohukohu whetū, an offering of kai to the stars.
"And I hope the rest of Auckland enjoy a good day," Brown said.
