Occupy Wellington protesters evicted

The Occupy Wellington site at Civic Square. Police have moved in to clear the site this morning. Photo / Twitpic from @Amanda Palmer

Evictions are underway at the site of the Occupy Wellington protest in Civic Square.

Police, Wellington City Council and security staff are moving in and the Square has been cordoned off.

The council says 20 police and 20 security guards are moving out 10 protestors.

Newstalk ZB's Yvette McCullough is in Civic Square watching the eviction.

"It's a very tense atmosphere here up on the City to Sea Bridge, security guards are dismantling tents," she told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking.

"The protestors threw up a bit of a fight at first but seem to be following orders at the moment."

In an earlier statement, Occupy Wellington said it would continue the occupation despite the council's efforts to remove them, even if it remains continuing the protest without their tents and structures.

"The Wellington occupation is peaceful and no benefit is seen to be gained through physical conflict with the council's security or the police.

"If the council issues an order to remove the tents and other structures then the occupiers are agreed that they will dismantle these on their own but continue in occupation."

About 20 people were arrested last Thursday during a council operation to evict the last of Occupy Auckland protestors in the city's Aotea Square.

- Herald Online, Newstalk ZB