November 9 2021
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the messages from anti-vaxxers or protesters marching to parliament today did not represent the majority of New Zealanders.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the messages from anti-vaxxers or protesters marching to parliament today did not represent the majority of New Zealanders.
It follows protest action across the country including thousands that marched to Parliament in Wellington this morning, in challenge to Covid restrictions.
Protesters made their way onto Parliament's forecourt earlier this afternoon after breaching the first set of gates.
There is still a set of gates preventing them from accessing the steps leading to Parliament buildings.
They are among thousands that brought Wellington's CBD to a standstill this morning as they marched to Parliament in a challenge to Covid restrictions.
Ardern referenced the Enough is Enough protest in how Parliament had seen protests over the years but she maintained it was not representative of the majority of Kiwis.
She said her trip to Auckland would be a chance to see things for herself as opposed to corresponding over the phone.
On the threat of a great gridlock on Friday which was threatened by today's protestors, Ardern said her job was to focus on the more immediate shifts in alert levels and transition into the traffic light framework.
Protesters have started arriving at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The Freedoms and Rights Coalition marched to Parliament this morning to present its demands, which include an end to Covid restrictions and vaccine mandates.
At around 11.45 a group of around 100 motorbikes arrived at Parliament, followed by thousands of protesters shouting "freedom now!"
Those in the crowds include young and old, and a diverse mix of ethnicities. Protest signs range from anti-vaccine to "Trump 2020", alongside tino rangatiratanga and United Tribes flags.
Act Party leader David Seymour said the Government had antagonised people such as some of the protesters outside by issuing vaccine mandates.
Seymour said he hoped as many people as possible got vaccinated but people should still be given choices.
"I don't fear those people. I fear for them," Seymour said when asked about the crowds outside.
Earlier Rewi Hare of Destiny Church addressed the crowd, saying people have gathered from "top of the North Island to the bottom of the South".
He praised the "brave" Brian Tamaki for "standing up to the Government", to loud cheers.
Freedom and Rights Coalition protesters gathering at Parliament, Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Wellington City Council advised that traffic would be disrupted after 10.30am, and Parliament's Speaker Trevor Mallard said security had never been as tight as it was today.
He said the Parliament grounds are crawling with police and security and they've blocked off all entrances apart from one.
National Party leader Judith Collins also said she had never seen so much security, but hoped the protests would be peaceful.
The protest organisers say they want New Zealand to "learn to live with the virus". They are calling for an end to the restrictions which have so far prevented the mass illness and death seen in other countries.
They want Auckland's borders to be opened, the whole country to move to alert level 1 and an end to "no jab, no job" vaccine mandates.
Police watching over Freedom and Rights Coalition protesters gathered at Parliament, Wellington. 09 November, 2021. Photo / Mark Mitchell
⚠ Wellington CBD: ⚠ Expect Delays and Detours from 10am Tues 9 November.
Due to a protest march bus services will be detouring away from the Wellington CBD from 10am. Expect significant disruption to bus services. Check our website for up to date info. https://t.co/sFz7cDK57mpic.twitter.com/Qs0jOdZXY3
Metlink has advised it will continue to operate despite the disruption to routes caused by protest action.
A diversion remains in place between Courtney Place and Lambton Quay between 10am and 3pm, with no stops on Metlink services between Courtney Place and Lambton Interchange.
Metlink general manager Scott Gallagher said they were putting the diversion in place to protect the safety of passengers and drivers.
Compassionately, protesters have the right to protest but do not have the right to make others sick. We must keep on listening but mandating vaccination. Then we can get back to some kind of normal. https://t.co/I9jnxVxIOK
"However, this is an evolving situation which will be closely monitored. We will update customers with any further changes, should they be necessary, as soon as we are able."
Bus services affected are 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 22, 24, 25, 52, 81, 83.
Police are also preparing for possible blockades at Auckland's borders and say there will be a "heightened presence" at other Auckland locations such as Government House and MPs' electorate offices.
A heavy police presence was standing guard at the Te Hana border, just north of Wellsford, today.
Officers could be seen standing in front of a large truck, blocking protesters.
The Freedoms and Rights Coalition is organising a march through Wellington to Parliament today to present a range of demands to lift lockdown restrictions.
Police were preparing for blockades at Auckland's borders and say there will be a "heightened presence" at other Auckland locations such as Government House and MPs' electorate offices.
In a statement on Tuesday morning, the Freedoms and Rights Coalition said the group will present its "realistic demands" on the steps of Parliament.
The group is calling for an end to lockdowns and public health measures, saying it's "time to learn to live with Covid-19", "shut down testing stations", and treat the deadly virus like "the flu".
"This government will have until this Friday 12th November 2021 at 2pm to take affirmative steps. If 'No-One' from within our House of Representatives is prepared to make moves for us, it will be time for 'we the people' to take matters into our hands as we undertake THE GREAT GRIDLOCK across many parts of this nation, unlike anything ever seen before," the group said.
