New Zealand news website STUFF has a much more in-depth and accurate report on what actually happened at the Auckland Santa event: “Auckland police hope Santa mayhem a one-off”

Part of the article quotes Alex Dyer, organizer/spokesman for the event:

Alex Dyer, who organised the Santa spree, explained the antics as a group of men who liked having a drink and a laugh.

“It doesn’t mean anything and it’s not against anyone. It’s just having fun. That’s what life’s about.”

While Mr Dyer did not condone illegal behaviour, he washed his hands of any responsibility.

“I can’t physically restrain people from doing stupid things. I can’t say, ‘okay 50 drunk men, all listen to me: Please, nobody do anything stupid’.

“If someone does something stupid and gets caught for it, that’s their problem.”

He said Saturday was not an anti-commercialisation protest.

“People do Santarchy in other countries, sure, and for them maybe that’s their aim, but with us we’re just dressing up as Santa and getting drunk. We just like booze.”

Mr Dyer said he had never been arrested, and he had never met the people who were arrested.

“I had a great time.”