Police to monitor Auckland fishing protest convoy over harbour bridge, along waterfront

Police will be monitoring a fishing convoy protest route tomorrow that’s set to travel for nearly 30km, crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge and ending on a busy waterfront road.

A convoy of recreational fishers opposing the Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Act is towing everything from boats to jet skis on a journey spanning 27km along the Northern Motorway to Tamaki Dr.

The protesters will go down several main Auckland roads, starting in Albany at 9am before heading across the Auckland Harbour Bridge and along Tamaki Dr, eventually making their way to Mission Bay and back.

An NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) spokesperson said the protest could lead to congestion across the city.

“The convoy will be using the Oteha Valley Rd on-ramp and State Highway 16 Port off-ramp, and meeting in the Albany Park and Ride,” the spokesperson said.

“This could lead to congestion in those areas and may mean the Park and Ride is busier than usual.

“NZTA and [Auckland Transport] will be closely monitoring the impact on the city’s network through our joint Auckland Traffic Operations Centre.”

The spokesperson said information about disruptions will be available on the Auckland Transport mobile app and on the NZTA website Journey Planner.

Protest organiser Ben Chissell admits he’s never held an event like this before and couldn’t predict how many protesters might join. However, a dedicated social media page for the protest had already attracted more than 3000 followers.

“This is quite unusual, we’re not usually the type of people that protest,” he said.

“I honestly couldn’t give you a number,” he said.

“I’ve arranged events in the past, you know, like fishing competitions and you know, meetups and things like that.

“Sometimes you’re lucky if you get 25% of people to show up, so I haven’t bothered doing an event or registration or anything like that for that very reason.”

One Ocean Protest route. Photo / One Ocean Protest

Police said they were “well aware” of the protest and would be across the route of the protest, monitoring key intersections.

“As part of the planning process, we have been in contact with the group,” said a spokesperson.

“Police will be across the route to monitor key intersections across the roading network.

“Our focus is to ensure safety, and to minimise traffic disruption as much as possible.”

The spokesperson said the convoy is expected to start around 9am.

Chissell said the idea sparked after he and other fishing enthusiasts became frustrated with the Government’s new Hauraki Gulf protection rules.

The law establishes a network of new marine protected zones, including seafloor protection areas, but controversially gives five commercial ring-net fishing operators exclusive access to two of the highly protected areas.