Summarised by Centrist
A taxpayer-funded documentary about Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick, Being Chlöe, remains unreleased nearly a year after filming wrapped.
Granted $199,999 by NZ On Air in 2021, the project risks becoming outdated. Journalist Graham Adams calls it “at best, quaint. At worst, a seriously misguided use of public money and very dated.“
ACT leader David Seymour previously recommended Swarbrick decline to participate, arguing that it would prevent further politicisation of NZ On Air’s funding. But, as Adams wryly observes, “Swarbrick — who likes to cast herself as a very reluctant politician despite having put her hand up to be Auckland’s mayor in 2016, a Green MP in 2017, and co-leader in 2024 — saw no problem with having yet another publicly funded documentary made about her.”
Adams cites former National Arts Minister Chris Finlayson who described the funding decision as “pretty ropey” and accused NZ On Air of pushing a left-wing agenda.
He notes that Being Chlöe is the latest in a string of taxpayer-funded productions about Swarbrick, including OK Chlöe and Three Ticks Chlöe.
However, Being Chlöe may struggle to remain relevant, as filming concluded before 2024. Major events, including Swarbrick’s appointment as co-leader, the Golriz Ghahrahman scandal, and damning reports against the use of puberty blockers, won’t be included.
Adams raises questions about the film’s ability to fully capture the “highs, lows, and difficulties” of Swarbrick’s political career.
