Covid Omicron outbreak: Sir Russell Coutts visits Parliament protest

Sailing great Sir Russell Coutts has made an appearance at the protest at Parliament this evening.

An image posted on Twitter by Auckland councillor Richard Hills shows the America's Cup sailor and multi-millionaire being shown around the protest site.

Coutts told Newstalk ZB's Heather Du Plessis Allan earlier today that he was "keen to get down there".

"I'm just looking forward to supporting some of the people."

Although he is fully vaccinated he said his motivation for travelling to the capital was the fact mandates take away freedoms. He said he is doing this for the "future generation".

"For me this is about ensuring that our kids and grandkids and the future generations can enjoy the freedoms we've all had the benefit of growing up this."

Coutts said it was important to keep an "open mind".

Russell getting a tour from anti vaxx group Voices for Freedom.

Yes that guys shirt says “I’m in the control group”. pic.twitter.com/mU91ntf5BI

— Richard Hills (@RichardHills_) February 21, 2022

"When I look at how we've been treated and how we've been expected to almost blindly follow the advice of so-called experts opinion in simply in my view because they might have an impressive academic title," he said.

Coutts said in the conversation around vaccine and mandates has lacked "critical debate" allowing people to share perspectives.

"I think there are a lot of lessons we can learn from this," he said.

In a post made on Facebook last week, Coutts confirmed he planned to join the occupiers, noting he was not against vaccination – being vaccinated himself - but he was against forcing people to get them.

Sir Russell Coutts is arrived #Convoy2022NZ Day16#Wellington Day14#EndTheMandatesNow #UnitedWeWin #HoldTheLineNZ pic.twitter.com/6M7k4T9xxw

— Jams Orange (@jams_orange) February 21, 2022

"I'm not anti-vaccine (I'm vaccinated) but I'm definitely against forced vaccinations.

"I'm also strongly opposed to the ever-increasing erosion of our human rights and the growing limitations on our freedom of choice. I believe in having the freedom to be able to question so-called "expert" opinion.

"I'm against discrimination and the 'them and us' society that is being promoted by our current political leaders. I'm against creating different rights, laws and privileges based on race."