You thought you knew Auckland - wait until you see how the United States Army saw it this week.

Complete with one of the most dramatic music scores ever heard on YouTube, Staff Sergeant Robert Ham and a cast of military bands and cameras has produced an over-the-top three minute video with Auckland as the main star.

Otherwise little noticed in the city, chiefs of armies from 28 countries were in Auckland this week for the Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference.

With a lot of brass around, Sergeant Ham did not restrain himself.

The video opens at Muriwai Beach and what is apparently a Maori quote: "In times of peace, dwell peacefully; in times of war be brave."

Then the US Army fudges the fact that downtown Auckland looks pretty empty; everything was run at double speed.

At the Auckland War Memorial Museum the brass gathered on the Hallowed Ground for a haka out of Central Casting - complete with one of the best displays of tongue curling ever caught on film.

As the music mounts to new thunderous heights, the scene switches to the conference.

It could have been dull, but there are flags and swords and heroic speeches.

Sergeant Ham could not, however, help himself.

Yes, the video featured sheep shearing - which doesn't usually happen much in Auckland. And lambs.

It all concludes with the dramatic scene of a bemedalled New Zealand soldier, wearing his Mounted Rifles Hat, return his sword to his sheath - with a satisfying roll of drums, brass and what could pass as thunder and artillery.