NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather forecasts

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
    • The Great NZ Road Trip
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
    • Cooking the Books
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • What the Actual
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

Covid 19 convoy protest: Protesters arrested after trying to breach gates of Parliament

Sophie Trigger
By Sophie Trigger
Senior Political Reporter, Newstalk ZB·NZ Herald·
9 Feb, 2022 02:00 AM6 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

February 9 2022 Protesters have tried to breach the gates of parliament, prompting a wall of police to make arrests. Video / Mark Mitchell / NZ Herald

Protesters have tried to breach the gates of Parliament, prompting a wall of police to make arrests.

Protesters attempted to move onto the forecourt at Parliament. Police formed a line and pushed the protesters back.

Footage taken from the gates of Parliament show a number of police officers joining fellow officers at the fence between protestors and Parliament. Moments later officers hold back protestors as they attempt to get through.

A heavy police presence greeted the protesters this morning. Photo / Mark Mitchell
A heavy police presence greeted the protesters this morning. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Police formed a line and pushed the protesters back at Parliament.
Police formed a line and pushed the protesters back at Parliament.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

At least two people have been put in handcuffs and led away by police.

One person broke through the barricade and was tackled to the ground by police.

Images show the man led away by police was former Taranaki Regional Council candidate Brett Power, who last Friday tried to lay a complaint against Health Minister Andrew Little at the New Plymouth police station.

In a short video taken from the gates of Parliament, Power can be seen being handcuffed and taken away by two police officers.

Crowds can be heard chanting while a protester speaks through a megaphone.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Anti-mandate protesters clashing with police during their occupation at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Anti-mandate protesters clashing with police during their occupation at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

One person can be heard screaming "guilty". However, it is not known what or who he is referring to.

A protest organiser urged protesters to remain calm and not to resist arrest.

"Hold the peace," a person tells protesters.

Protesters appear to have stopped attempting to break through the barrier, but are continuing to chant and shout abuse at police and media.

Discover more

New Zealand|politics

'It's a part of NZ': PM on protesters camped out at Parliament

08 Feb 11:53 PM
New Zealand

Protesters at Woodville Campground refused to leave

08 Feb 02:35 AM
New Zealand

Convoy protesters 'in for long haul', council considering options

08 Feb 02:54 AM
New Zealand|politics

PM promises schools will only close again as 'last resort'

08 Feb 02:35 AM

Earlier the group, who camped at Parliament overnight, showed no signs of retreating despite a heavy police presence.

A speaker earlier in the day said he intended to walk up Parliament's steps at 3pm, and encouraged others to join him.

However tensions have eased slightly since protesters reacted angrily to being issued a trespass notice by police earlier this morning.

At least 100 officers greeted protesters today, many of whom had camped overnight at Parliament after travelling across the country in convoy to protest against vaccine mandates and the Government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Protesters stationed at Parliment show no signs of retreating. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Protesters stationed at Parliment show no signs of retreating. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Upon receiving the trespass notice at about 10.30am protest organisers reacted angrily, throwing it at the police officer in charge.

A protester speaks to police outside Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
A protester speaks to police outside Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Furious protesters then approached the line of police officers guarding the forecourt of Parliament chanting "tell the truth" while also hurling abuse at the media on the balcony above.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Speaker Trevor Mallard had earlier threatened to trespass the protesters.

At 1.30pm the protesters still showed no intention of leaving, with tents erected and many sitting on picnic blankets or camping chairs.

Protesters have been addressing the crowd for several hours. Earlier in the day a speaker said he would be walking up the steps to Parliament at 3pm, and encouraged other protesters to join him.

Protesters were met with police on Wednesday morning. Photo / Sophie Trigger
Protesters were met with police on Wednesday morning. Photo / Sophie Trigger

"For those that want to make a stand, we can all get arrested," he said.

Another said the "police were not their enemies ... they are like so many of us that are forced to comply".

A speaker later in the day encouraged other protesters not to wear masks and another who had travelled from Queenstown talked about the impact of Covid restrictions in the South Island.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Social media posts seen by the Herald show a lack of cohesion among some of the protesters, with some saying they plan to advance on Parliament, and others urging a calmer response.

Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said they had increased their presence at Parliament grounds today in response to the protest.

"Police have engaged with protest leaders and encouraged them to follow the advice of the Speaker of the House last night, who provided guidelines about protest activity in the grounds of Parliament," Parnell said.

"Police are asking protesters to dismantle any structures that have been erected on the grounds, such as tents and marquees.

"Police will continue to have a significant presence at Parliament today and will deal with incidents as they arise, recognising individuals' lawful right to peaceful protest."

Protesters are served with a trespass notice at Parliament.
Protesters are served with a trespass notice at Parliament.

When questioned about options for towing away illegally parked vehicles, Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean said they were aware the end of Lambton Quay by the bus terminal was blocked.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"We are working with police on our options regarding illegally parked vehicles, taking into account our desire not to put our staff in danger," he said.

Thousands of protesters had yesterday brought Wellington's city streets to a standstill when they arrived for Convoy 2022 - a protest against ongoing Covid restrictions, including vaccine mandates.

A spokesperson yesterday said they're "in for the long haul" and intend to stay for days.

A letter handed out to protesters by the Speaker's office reminded them of the rules of protest on Parliamentary grounds - including that they must not impede the flow of vehicular traffic, cannot set up tents and must direct all speaker away from Parliament.

Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Speakers can only be used for speeches, and speeches can only be given during daylight hours.

All protesters have been asked to take down their tents.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Wellington District road policing manager Inspector Wade Jennings said yesterday they recognised individuals had a lawful right to protest and had been monitoring the protest throughout the day.

"While there has been some disruption to traffic, there have been no significant incidents and subsequently no arrests," he said.

"Police staff will continue to have a presence at the protest and will deal with incidents as they arise."

National Party leader Christopher Luxon told RNZ that while he appreciated everyone had a right to protest, there was a lot of anti-social behaviour and the protesters were infringing on the freedoms of others.

Thousands of anti-mandate protesters arrived to Parliament yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Thousands of anti-mandate protesters arrived to Parliament yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

"Not supportive of this at all," he said.

Luxon said ultimately the protesters were an operational issue for police.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The National Party had largely supported vaccine mandates, but he said there did need to be a clear timeline, triggers and criteria for when mandates finished.

The movement has attracted people from all over New Zealand, with hundreds of cars, trucks and motorbikes travelling from both ends of the country to arrive in Wellington yesterday.

Major highways into Wellington were brought to a standstill and the roads around Parliament blocked as hundreds of vehicles flooded into the capital.

A voices of Freedom spokesman addressed the crowd at Parliament yesterday, saying they intended to stay for several days.

"We're here for the long haul, and at least for a few days, with an opportunity for anyone to speak here between 11am and 1pm," he said.

"It's now up to each and every one of you to go back to your towns and cities, and stand up, stand up for freedom."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand|crime

Abused, addicted but not deported: Mum of six avoids 501 deportation after armed robbery

18 May 07:00 AM
New Zealand

Heavy rain hits Auckland with possible thunderstorms forecast tonight

18 May 06:03 AM
New ZealandUpdated

Man fighting for life after assault in South Auckland, police hunting three offenders

18 May 05:16 AM

The Hire A Hubby hero turning handyman stereotypes on their head

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Abused, addicted but not deported: Mum of six avoids 501 deportation after armed robbery

Abused, addicted but not deported: Mum of six avoids 501 deportation after armed robbery

18 May 07:00 AM

NZ woman helped plan armed robbery at her former workplace in Melbourne.

Heavy rain hits Auckland with possible thunderstorms forecast tonight

Heavy rain hits Auckland with possible thunderstorms forecast tonight

18 May 06:03 AM
Man fighting for life after assault in South Auckland, police hunting three offenders

Man fighting for life after assault in South Auckland, police hunting three offenders

18 May 05:16 AM
Former police officer and wife arrested after attack at Boyz II Men concert at Spark Arena

Former police officer and wife arrested after attack at Boyz II Men concert at Spark Arena

18 May 05:00 AM
Gold demand soars amid global turmoil
sponsored

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP