Wellington - Anti-vaccine protesters and police clashed on the grounds of New Zealand's parliament on Thursday (Feb 10). More than 50 protesters are reported to be arrested after demonstrators camping outside the legislature for three days were ordered to move on.
Activists chanted the Maori haka and yelled "hold the line" as they scuffled with a line of police moving to clear an impromptu protest camp from the lawns of parliament reported CNA.
The police had adopted a hands-off approach for the last two days, using loud speakers to warn the crowd of about 150 warning of arrests unless they left.
Protesters resist police before they moved in to evict mandate protesters in parliament grounds in Wellington on Feb 10, 2022. (Photo: AFP/Marty Melville)
The crowd turned agitative today attacking officers amid cries of "this is not democracy" and "drop the mandate".
The protest began on Tuesday, a spill over of the "Freedom Convoy" in Canada, with hundreds of semi-trailers and campervans jamming streets in central Wellington.
The mostly unmasked protesters had driven from around the country, and their vehicles clogged the central Wellington streets for hours as they got out to meet and speak in front of the Parliament.
Most of the vehicles left after a day but hardcore protesters remained, vowing to stay "as long as it takes".
Wellington City Council, which also took a low-key approach in the protest's early stages, said its parking officers would begin issuing tickets to convoy vehicles blocking city streets.
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said patience had worn thin among Wellington residents at the disruption caused by the protests and called for police to act.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern maintained that restrictions were placed to protect lives and livelihoods, the strong health response helped cushion the blow to the economy, leading to record-low unemployment and strong GDP growth.
New Zealand has so far spared the worst of the pandemic after it closed its borders and implemented strict lockdowns, limiting the spread of the virus. The nation has reported just 53 virus deaths among its population of 5 million.
-CNA