Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown fined for driving while on the phone

Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown joins a Transport Committee meeting via video call while driving, prompting concerns about appropriate conduct during official council business.

Wayne Brown has been fined after driving while using a mobile phone.

The Auckland mayor dialled in to a council meeting while behind the wheel earlier this month.

A spokesperson for the mayor said the incident was an “error in judgement”.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has been fined $150 and hit with 20 demerit points after using a mobile phone while driving.

Brown phoned in to a meeting of Auckland Council’s Transport Committee on April 3, while he was behind the wheel.

Wayne Brown driving while on the phone during a council meeting.

The video call lasted around three minutes and saw Brown attempt to ask questions of officials at the meeting while simultaneously checking his mirrors and keeping his eye on the road.

On Tuesday, police confirmed the mayor had received a $150 fine and 20 demerit points for “using a hand-held mobile phone while driving”.

Brown apologised for the incident at the time.

In a statement on April 9, a spokesperson for the mayor said he attended the meeting online, for the “most part” at home, but “continued to listen on his phone while driving to his next engagement, hands-free”.

Brown recognised his behaviour was not appropriate and “apologises for the error in judgement,” the spokesperson added.

Stuff has approached Brown for comment.

Clarification: This article has been clarified to say the mayor was fined for using a phone while driving, rather than for making a phone call.