WHAT WAS CLAIMED
A Facebook page is publishing breaking news about New Zealand politics.
OUR VERDICT
False. The stories are fabricated.
AAP FACTCHECK - A Facebook page posing as a legitimate New Zealand news outlet is pumping out fabricated stories about the country's politicians.
The Northern Ocean page describes itself as "your source for real-time breaking news", but regularly publishes false stories and AI-generated images featuring high-profile NZ politicians.
Facebook transparency data indicates the page is operated from Vietnam.
The posts urge readers to click on a link to an external website laden with ads and more false claims.
It is one of dozens of Vietnam-linked disinformation pages that AAP FactCheck has identified that target prominent sports and political figures in Australia and New Zealand.
One post from the Northern Ocean page claims Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters spontaneously sang the New Zealand national anthem in an open square.
"No one expected them to sing — but when Christopher Mark Luxon and Winston Peters sang the New Zealand anthem together, the entire square fell into a complete, almost palpable silence," the caption reads.
The claim is accompanied by an image that appears to show the duo standing in front of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City.
However, this scenario is fake. AAP FactCheck found no footage or credible online reports of the pair singing the national anthem in front of St Peter's Basilica.
The image contains several signs of AI generation.
Mr Luxon is shown with a noticeably different facial appearance and build when compared to a recent photograph published on his official Instagram account.
A spire-like structure also appears on the Basilica's roof, but this feature does not exist on the actual building.
The basilica facade is lined with 13 statues, with the dome visible behind them, but no spire, as seen in a virtual tour of the site published on the Holy See's website.
Another post claims Mr Luxon and his wife erased over $600,000 in school lunch debts.
AAP FactCheck found no credible reports that Mr Luxon or his wife had paid off or forgiven school lunch debt.
The claim appears to be based on a 2025 incident in which school lunch provider Puku Ora owed $600,000 in unpaid taxes, as reported by RNZ.
The image accompanying the post also appears to be AI-generated.
The woman depicted bears no resemblance Mr Luxon's wife, Amanda, who has brown hair, as seen in a photograph of her supplied to RNZ.
The post also repeatedly refers to the prime minister as "Christopher Luxo".
A different post claims Mr Luxon said LGBTQ themes did not belong in children's cartoons.
"TRENDING NOW Christopher Luxon is at the center of a heated online storm after controversial comments about LGBTQ themes in children's media sparked outrage across social media," the caption reads.
"Within hours, hashtags calling for a boycott began trending, sharply dividing supporters and critics alike."
However, there is no evidence that the prime minister made this statement, which would have attracted significant media attention, and there is no active boycott against him regarding children's cartoons.
The claim appears to be the latest in a series of fake news posts that have falsely attributed anti-LGBTQ+ comments to public figures, such as Scarlett Johansson.
Another post claims Mr Luxon and opposition leader Chris Hipkins were involved in a televised political debate as part of their 2026 election campaign.
"CHRIS LUXON SMACKS DOWN CHRIS HIPKINS BIG-TIME — TOTAL KNOCKOUT BLOW!" the caption reads.
However, AAP FactCheck found no evidence the pair had participated in a televised leaders' debate in 2026.
The most recent televised debate between Mr Luxon and Mr Hipkins occurred during TVNZ's 1News final leaders' debate in 2023.
The man pictured debating Mr Hipkins also sports a full head of hair and bears no resemblance to Mr Luxon.
Another post claims US President Donald Trump publicly confronted New Zealand Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick in a "brutal clash".
Again, AAP FactCheck found no evidence Mr Trump and Ms Swarbrick have publicly confronted one another as described.
The first image accompanying the claim appears to be AI-generated.
It appears to show Mr Trump and Ms Swarbrick standing together in front of a backdrop displaying the words "International Climate", suggesting they attended the same climate-related event.
However, AAP FactCheck found no reports of the pair meeting at an "international climate" event.
A recent photograph published by RNZ also shows Ms Swarbrick with a completely different hairstyle.
AAP FactCheck has debunked similar disinformation operations targeting Australian politicians, AFL and NRL teams and pages making up fake stories about riots, immigrants and natural disasters.
Many of the pages attempt to mimic legitimate news pages and the fake stories are generating millions of views.
AAP FactCheck is an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network. To keep up with our latest fact checks, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, BlueSky, TikTok and YouTube.
