Brian Tamaki’s Freedom and Rights Coalition meets at Auckland Domain: Call for Luxon to ‘defend free speech’

Brian Tamaki’s Freedom and Rights Coalition has met in a protest at Auckland Domain, calling on the Prime Minister to defend free speech and allow the Act Party’s Treaty referendum.

Meetings at Wellington’s Civic Square and Christchurch’s Bridge of Remembrance had also been planned at the same time.

A crowd of 200-300 gathered in Auckland with police keeping an eye on proceedings.

Tamaki urged supporters to meet again in Wellington next Tuesday for another rally.

He said the main reasons for the rally was to call on the National Party to support a referendum on the Waitangi Treaty principles and to withdraw support for Christchurch Call, which has former PM Jacinda Ardern as special envoy.

Tamaki, speaking to the crowd, said “A lot of people are driving around thinking it is all ok”.

”Well it isn’t.”

He claimed freedom of speech is under siege in New Zealand, before adding: “Unfortunately a lot of people don’t show up”, calling those among the small crowd gathered “courageous”.

Brian Tamaki at the Freedom and Rights coalition protest at Auckland's Domain. March 2, 2024. Photo / NZME

The crowd at Brian Tamaki's Freedoms & Rights Coalition event at Auckland's Domain at around 11am Saturday. Photo / NZME

Some previous marches have created disruptions in Auckland when main roads, motorways and busy central-city streets have become congested.

There were no traffic issues associated with today’s march.

Brian Tamaki talks to a band of supporters at Auckland's Domain. Photo / NZME