New Zealand / Auckland Region

Auckland Santa replaced after controversial comments

17:58 pm on 24 November 2018

A new Santa will be parading down Auckland's streets tomorrow afternoon after the original Santa was sidelined for comments he made about women.

Photo: FARMERS SANTA PARADE

Neville Baker told the NZ Herald women should not perform the role of Santa Claus, and went on to say that Santa's little helpers wear a little skirt and top, something he said a man wouldn't do.

In response the Auckland Santa Parade Trust has decided to use a different Santa Claus agency.

Trust chairperson Michael Barnett said the decision was made because "the comments do not align with the values of the parade".

"The tone of it did not sound like the sorts of values we want associated with the parade, so we simply changed agencies - nobody was fired," Mr Barnett said.

The parade will go ahead tomorrow at 1pm with a new santa.