The Free Speech Union has criticised Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown after an email emerged in which he allegedly warned the editor of Ponsonby News that "your paper will die" if it continued publishing criticism of him. The Union argues the message amounts to an attempt to intimidate a community newspaper and says elected officials should respond to criticism through public debate rather than private pressure, describing the incident as a threat to free expression and democratic accountability.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Free Speech Union is calling out Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown for emailing the editor of Ponsonby News with the warning that "your paper will die" if it published criticism of him. The email, sent after the magazine ran an op-ed by former councillor Mike Lee criticising the Mayor's record rates rise, was published by Lee on Facebook over the weekend.
"Days after the Mayor's office declared that 'threatening sentiment' from his critics 'needs to stop', it emerged he had been privately threatening a community newspaper for publishing an opinion he didn't like. He demands tolerance from his critics that he refuses to extend to them," says Jillaine Heather, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union.
"The Mayor of Auckland holds the biggest platform in the city. If he disagrees with Mike Lee, he is free to argue back publicly. That is how free speech works. Instead, he chose private intimidation of a small publisher.
"Ratepayers criticising a rates rise is democratic accountability at its most basic. An elected official using the weight of his office to menace journalists chills the speech every Aucklander depends on. Whatever Wayne Brown meant by it, editors should never receive threats from mayors."
Notes:
- Screenshot of the Mayor's email to Ponsonby News is available here: view screenshot.
- The Free Speech Union has verified the authenticity of the email address. The screenshot linked above was sourced from the publicly available image on X.
- On 17 July 2026, following an alleged altercation at a National Party fundraiser, a spokesperson for the Mayor stated that "threatening sentiment" stirred up by lobbying groups such as the Auckland Ratepayers Alliance "is problematic and needs to stop". See RNZ coverage.
- Further coverage: NZ Herald and 1News.
Media Contact
Jillaine Heather
Chief Executive, Free Speech Union
Email: media@fsu.nz
Phone: 022 514 6075
About the Free Speech Union
The Free Speech Union defends the right of New Zealanders, left, right and centre, to speak, debate, and disagree freely. A registered trade union and membership-based organisation, the Union takes cases, runs campaigns, and educates on the importance of free expression in a functioning democracy.
More information: https://www.fsu.nz
Source: Free Speech Union Media Release, 21 July 2026.