15/12/2025
Security update: Unscheduled ELF activity in Wellington NICU
Just after midnight, Wednesday 3 December, an alert triggered on the main security monitor at Wellington Hospital. A small figure, striped legs, pointed hat, suspiciously cheerful, was spotted slipping quietly into Wellington NICU. Additional cameras were activated, allowing us to release these still frames.
The visitor tiptoed past incubators and bassinets, pausing often to ensure not a single pēpi stirred. He moved lightly, as though every tiny breath in the room was sacred.
Footage shows him producing a toy drum kit out of nowhere, classic trickster behaviour, raising the drumsticks with enthusiasm. A Police ELF responded swiftly, intervening just in time, whispering, “Not here. Not the babies.” The drumsticks were confiscated. The Police ELF vanished.
From that point on, the visiting ELF became unusually… helpful.
He explored the NICU, discovering a small room where off-duty elves slept tangled in blankets. He adjusted swaddles, re-rolled blankets with expert care, and gently repositioned a snoring elf with practiced tenderness.
Throughout the incident, there was no singing, jingling, or noise beyond a quiet shuffle of feet - an impressive commitment to NICU etiquette.
At 4:12am, the ELF settled briefly into a bassinet, remaining in peaceful vigil until first light. By the time staff arrived, he was gone, leaving only tidied blankets, a faint peppermint scent, and a suspiciously organised toy drum kit.
No alarms triggered.
No equipment tampered with.
No pēpi disturbed.
Investigations continue and we would like to assure the public that no damage was sustained to the NICU or any pēpi during the ELF’s nighttime visit. If anything, evidence suggests this particular ELF understood that the NICU with it's tiny treasures is a place for the most respectful visitors only.
