Faced with sprinklers, New Zealand anti-vaccine mandate protesters dig trenches
Ashleigh Stewart - Global News Yesterday
New Zealand anti-vaccine mandate protesters have dug mini trenches across parliament grounds, after the sprinklers were turned on overnight in an attempt to force them to leave.
The protest, now entering its fifth day in the capital, Wellington, is modelled on the anti-vaccine protests in Canada that have crippled Ottawa for the last two weeks and have recently blocked the land border crossing in Windsor.
And protesters in New Zealand appear to be drawing heavily on inspiration from their North American counterparts, with Canadian flags being held aloft on parliament grounds and draped across the front of trucks.
"It's very odd to see the Canadian flag being used in protests," New Zealand political scientist Dr. Bryce Edwards tells Global News from Wellington.
"But for some of the protesters, the Canadian flag is now a symbol of anti-vaccination mandates, and so they are embracing it."
New Zealand's protest began with a so-called "trucker convoy" as well — with various travelling through the country's two main islands before meeting up in Wellington — though social media users reported seeing few trucks, and mostly passenger vehicles.
Protesters have been camped out on parliament grounds since Tuesday, despite facing strong resistance from police.
According to local media, at least 122 protesters have been arrested so far, after police on Thursday (NZ time) moved in to remove tents from parliament's lawn and to remove illegally-parked vehicles blocking Wellington streets. Many, however, stood firm and refused to leave.
In a last-ditch effort to get protesters to leave on Friday night, New Zealand's speaker of the house, Trevor Mallard, announced that he would activate the sprinklers on parliament grounds to drench them — despite the fact that it was already raining in Wellington.
Read more:
Premier Doug Ford declares state of emergency amid protests at land border and in Ottawa
“No-one who is here is here legally, and if they’re getting wet from below as well as above, they’re likely to be a little bit less comfortable and more likely to go home," Mallard said in a press release.
“Some people have suggested we add the vaccine in the water, but I don't think it works that way.”
In response, protesters attempted to put orange road cones over the sprinklers, according to videos posted on social media, but when that didn't work, they dug trenches across the grounds in order to divert the water and keep their tents dry.
Edwards, who has visited the protest throughout the week, said the mood on parliament grounds on Friday was a "striking contrast" to Thursday.
"On Thursday it was incredibly tense, and very violent. Both the police and protesters were incredibly physical, and it was uncomfortable for an outsider like myself to be amongst," he tells Global News.
"But on Friday it became incredibly relaxed and festive. It was more like a music festival — a rather hippie one."
Edwards also noted a strong Canada-inspired influence at the protest. He said many people had Canadian flags or were "shouting 'support the truckers!'"
"There are some attempts to import the Canadian convoy politics and style to this protest," Edwards says.
"They have obviously been inspired in terms of the Canadian convoy, and that is how this protest started. But I think most of the protesters probably don't know much about what is happening in Canada."
Edwards said he had also experienced strong reactions from Canadians to videos he had been sharing on social media of the New Zealand protest.
Many Canadians had commented, saying they wished the police in Canada would be as strong-handed as they appeared to be in New Zealand, Edwards says. Others were writing to Edwards to show support for the truckers.
"So it does seem that there's a number of Canadians that are following what's happening in NZ and taking some lessons from it — from both sides," he says.
Police have been brought in from around the country to bolster the capital's forces to deal with the protests, according to local media, as talk of a “second wave” of occupiers circulates on social media, with more due to arrive Friday night and throughout Saturday.
In a news conference on Thursday evening, Wellington police's district commander said the protest was "unprecedented for New Zealand."
“We've never had an occupation of the scale ... It was never going to be a short process. We are conscious of that. It has to be a measured approach, and it will take some time, potentially," Superintendent Corrie Parnell said.
Police say the spread of misinformation among protesters was making it difficult to diffuse the situation.
“Police have identified a range of different causes and motivations among the protestors, making it difficult to open clear and meaningful lines of communication,” Parnell said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
"Misinformation, particularly on social media, has been identified as an issue."
Parnell also said police were concerned over the number of children that were involved in the protest, a concern shared by police in Canada.
"Police are also concerned that people are encouraging children be brought to the protest site to support their efforts," Parnell's statement said.
One protester named Glenn, who did not want his last name used, said more people arrived on parliament grounds Friday night and even more were due to join on Saturday.
He said he had joined with others to "push against police for eight hours" on Thursday, but since then the protest has been "very, very peaceful."
Video: Paris bans French convoy inspired by Ottawa protests from entering city
Glenn started a group called Resistance Kiwi in July 2021, when he believed vaccine mandates could be coming in the future.
Resistance Kiwi now has about 2,500 members and was one of the main groups involved in bringing together the Wellington protest.
"Canada has inspired many groups around the world," Glenn told Global News.
He was also calling on New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to step down.
"This government has brought segregation and discrimination on society. The message down there at parliament is just to end the mandates."
Ashleigh Stewart - Global News Yesterday
New Zealand anti-vaccine mandate protesters have dug mini trenches across parliament grounds, after the sprinklers were turned on overnight in an attempt to force them to leave.
The protest, now entering its fifth day in the capital, Wellington, is modelled on the anti-vaccine protests in Canada that have crippled Ottawa for the last two weeks and have recently blocked the land border crossing in Windsor.
And protesters in New Zealand appear to be drawing heavily on inspiration from their North American counterparts, with Canadian flags being held aloft on parliament grounds and draped across the front of trucks.
"It's very odd to see the Canadian flag being used in protests," New Zealand political scientist Dr. Bryce Edwards tells Global News from Wellington.
"But for some of the protesters, the Canadian flag is now a symbol of anti-vaccination mandates, and so they are embracing it."
New Zealand's protest began with a so-called "trucker convoy" as well — with various travelling through the country's two main islands before meeting up in Wellington — though social media users reported seeing few trucks, and mostly passenger vehicles.
Protesters have been camped out on parliament grounds since Tuesday, despite facing strong resistance from police.
According to local media, at least 122 protesters have been arrested so far, after police on Thursday (NZ time) moved in to remove tents from parliament's lawn and to remove illegally-parked vehicles blocking Wellington streets. Many, however, stood firm and refused to leave.
In a last-ditch effort to get protesters to leave on Friday night, New Zealand's speaker of the house, Trevor Mallard, announced that he would activate the sprinklers on parliament grounds to drench them — despite the fact that it was already raining in Wellington.
Read more:
Premier Doug Ford declares state of emergency amid protests at land border and in Ottawa
“No-one who is here is here legally, and if they’re getting wet from below as well as above, they’re likely to be a little bit less comfortable and more likely to go home," Mallard said in a press release.
“Some people have suggested we add the vaccine in the water, but I don't think it works that way.”
In response, protesters attempted to put orange road cones over the sprinklers, according to videos posted on social media, but when that didn't work, they dug trenches across the grounds in order to divert the water and keep their tents dry.
Edwards, who has visited the protest throughout the week, said the mood on parliament grounds on Friday was a "striking contrast" to Thursday.
"On Thursday it was incredibly tense, and very violent. Both the police and protesters were incredibly physical, and it was uncomfortable for an outsider like myself to be amongst," he tells Global News.
"But on Friday it became incredibly relaxed and festive. It was more like a music festival — a rather hippie one."
Edwards also noted a strong Canada-inspired influence at the protest. He said many people had Canadian flags or were "shouting 'support the truckers!'"
"There are some attempts to import the Canadian convoy politics and style to this protest," Edwards says.
"They have obviously been inspired in terms of the Canadian convoy, and that is how this protest started. But I think most of the protesters probably don't know much about what is happening in Canada."
Edwards said he had also experienced strong reactions from Canadians to videos he had been sharing on social media of the New Zealand protest.
Many Canadians had commented, saying they wished the police in Canada would be as strong-handed as they appeared to be in New Zealand, Edwards says. Others were writing to Edwards to show support for the truckers.
"So it does seem that there's a number of Canadians that are following what's happening in NZ and taking some lessons from it — from both sides," he says.
Police have been brought in from around the country to bolster the capital's forces to deal with the protests, according to local media, as talk of a “second wave” of occupiers circulates on social media, with more due to arrive Friday night and throughout Saturday.
In a news conference on Thursday evening, Wellington police's district commander said the protest was "unprecedented for New Zealand."
“We've never had an occupation of the scale ... It was never going to be a short process. We are conscious of that. It has to be a measured approach, and it will take some time, potentially," Superintendent Corrie Parnell said.
Police say the spread of misinformation among protesters was making it difficult to diffuse the situation.
“Police have identified a range of different causes and motivations among the protestors, making it difficult to open clear and meaningful lines of communication,” Parnell said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
"Misinformation, particularly on social media, has been identified as an issue."
Parnell also said police were concerned over the number of children that were involved in the protest, a concern shared by police in Canada.
"Police are also concerned that people are encouraging children be brought to the protest site to support their efforts," Parnell's statement said.
One protester named Glenn, who did not want his last name used, said more people arrived on parliament grounds Friday night and even more were due to join on Saturday.
He said he had joined with others to "push against police for eight hours" on Thursday, but since then the protest has been "very, very peaceful."
Video: Paris bans French convoy inspired by Ottawa protests from entering city
Glenn started a group called Resistance Kiwi in July 2021, when he believed vaccine mandates could be coming in the future.
Resistance Kiwi now has about 2,500 members and was one of the main groups involved in bringing together the Wellington protest.
"Canada has inspired many groups around the world," Glenn told Global News.
He was also calling on New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to step down.
"This government has brought segregation and discrimination on society. The message down there at parliament is just to end the mandates."
The protests at Wellington's parliament house stretched to a fifth day on Saturday.
(AFP: Marty Melville)
Some countries might send in a riot squad to disperse trespassing protesters, but New Zealand authorities turned on the sprinklers and Barry Manilow.
Key points:
Some countries might send in a riot squad to disperse trespassing protesters, but New Zealand authorities turned on the sprinklers and Barry Manilow.
Key points:
Parliament speaker Trevor Mallard says he activated the sprinklers to dampen protests in Wellington
A loop of Barry Manilow songs and vaccine messages further discouraged demonstrators
The protesters responded by playing We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
A demonstration against New Zealand's vaccination mandates and tough COVID-19 restrictions was held outside parliament in Wellington for the fifth day.
The ongoing protests came as the nation recorded a daily record of 454 community COVID-19 cases.
Initial moves on Saturday to try and flush out several hundred protesters with sprinklers had little effect.
The protesters responded to the soaking from the sprinklers by digging trenches and installing makeshift drainpipes to divert the water.
They also brought in bales of straw, which they scattered on the increasingly sodden grounds at parliament.
But by evening, parliament speaker Trevor Mallard had come up with a new plan to make the protesters uncomfortable: using a sound system to blast out vaccine messages, Barry Manilow songs and the Latin hit, Macarena, on a repeat loop.
Protesters responded by playing their own tunes, including Twisted Sister's 1983 rock anthem, We're Not Gonna Take It.
The demonstration began last Tuesday when a convoy of trucks and cars drove to parliament from around the nation, inspired by protests in Canada.
At first, there were more than 1,000 protesters but that number dwindled as the week wore on before growing again on Saturday.
Police have been taking a more hands-off approach since Thursday, when they arrested 122 people and charged many of them with trespassing or obstruction.
A demonstration against New Zealand's vaccination mandates and tough COVID-19 restrictions was held outside parliament in Wellington for the fifth day.
The ongoing protests came as the nation recorded a daily record of 454 community COVID-19 cases.
Initial moves on Saturday to try and flush out several hundred protesters with sprinklers had little effect.
The protesters responded to the soaking from the sprinklers by digging trenches and installing makeshift drainpipes to divert the water.
They also brought in bales of straw, which they scattered on the increasingly sodden grounds at parliament.
But by evening, parliament speaker Trevor Mallard had come up with a new plan to make the protesters uncomfortable: using a sound system to blast out vaccine messages, Barry Manilow songs and the Latin hit, Macarena, on a repeat loop.
Protesters responded by playing their own tunes, including Twisted Sister's 1983 rock anthem, We're Not Gonna Take It.
The demonstration began last Tuesday when a convoy of trucks and cars drove to parliament from around the nation, inspired by protests in Canada.
At first, there were more than 1,000 protesters but that number dwindled as the week wore on before growing again on Saturday.
Police have been taking a more hands-off approach since Thursday, when they arrested 122 people and charged many of them with trespassing or obstruction.
The Wellington protesters oppose mask mandates and ongoing coronavirus restrictions across New Zealand.(AFP: Marty Melville)
But Mr Mallard said he told staff to turn on the sprinklers overnight after running out of patience.
"I ordered them on," he said.
"No one who is here is here legally, and if they're getting wet from below as well as above, they're likely to be a little bit less comfortable and more likely to go home."
"Some people have suggested we add the vaccine in the water, but I don't think it works that way," he joked.
Mr Mallard also acknowledged that he was responsible for the sound system musical loop.
But Mr Mallard said he told staff to turn on the sprinklers overnight after running out of patience.
"I ordered them on," he said.
"No one who is here is here legally, and if they're getting wet from below as well as above, they're likely to be a little bit less comfortable and more likely to go home."
"Some people have suggested we add the vaccine in the water, but I don't think it works that way," he joked.
Mr Mallard also acknowledged that he was responsible for the sound system musical loop.
New Zealand's demonstrations are believed to be inspired by the freedom protests in Canada. (AP: Mark Mitchell)
Among the protesters' grievances is the requirement in New Zealand that certain workers get vaccinated against COVID-19, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel.
Many protesters also oppose mask mandates — such as those in stores and among children over about age 8 in classrooms — and champion the idea of more "freedom".
What's behind Canada's truck protests?
Canadian officials tell Americans to butt out of Canada's domestic affairs, as Donald Trump and Elon Musk praise truck drivers protesting against vaccine mandates.
Among the protesters' grievances is the requirement in New Zealand that certain workers get vaccinated against COVID-19, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel.
Many protesters also oppose mask mandates — such as those in stores and among children over about age 8 in classrooms — and champion the idea of more "freedom".
What's behind Canada's truck protests?
Canadian officials tell Americans to butt out of Canada's domestic affairs, as Donald Trump and Elon Musk praise truck drivers protesting against vaccine mandates.
Read more
New Zealand was 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 coronavirus deaths among its population of 5 million.
But some have grown weary of the restrictions. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said last week the country would end its quarantine requirements for incoming travellers in stages as it reopened its borders.
With about 77 per cent of New Zealanders vaccinated, Ms Ardern has also promised she will not impose more lockdowns.
The country's borders are still closed, however, with tens of thousands of expatriate New Zealanders facing being cut off from families and tourism businesses struggling to stay afloat.
Wires/ABC
New Zealand was 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 coronavirus deaths among its population of 5 million.
But some have grown weary of the restrictions. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said last week the country would end its quarantine requirements for incoming travellers in stages as it reopened its borders.
With about 77 per cent of New Zealanders vaccinated, Ms Ardern has also promised she will not impose more lockdowns.
The country's borders are still closed, however, with tens of thousands of expatriate New Zealanders facing being cut off from families and tourism businesses struggling to stay afloat.
Wires/ABC
New Zealand Blasts Barry Manilow, 'Macarena' To Flush Out Anti-Vaccine Mandate Protesters
Demonstrations began when a convoy of trucks and cars drove to Wellington from around the nation, inspired by protests in Canada.
NICK PERRY
02/12/2022
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Some countries might send in a riot squad to disperse trespassing protesters. In New Zealand, authorities turned on the sprinklers and Barry Manilow.
Initial moves to try and flush out several hundred protesters who have been camped on Parliament’s grassy grounds since Tuesday had little effect.
The protesters, who have been voicing their opposition to coronavirus vaccine mandates, responded to the soaking from the sprinklers by digging trenches and installing makeshift drainpipes to divert the water.
When a downpour hit Saturday, their numbers only grew. Protesters brought in bales of straw, which they scattered on the increasingly sodden grounds at Parliament. Some shouted, others danced and one group performed an Indigenous Maori haka.
By evening, Parliament Speaker Trevor Mallard had come up with a new plan to make the protesters uncomfortable: using a sound system to blast out vaccine messages, decades-old Barry Manilow songs and the 1990s earworm hit “Macarena” on a repeat loop. Protesters responded by playing their own tunes, including Twister Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”
The protest began when a convoy of trucks and cars drove to Parliament from around the nation, inspired by protests in Canada. At first there were more than 1,000 protesters but that number dwindled as the week wore on before growing again on Saturday.
Police have been taking a more hands-off approach since Thursday, when they arrested 122 people and charged many of them with trespassing or obstruction. Police, who have been wearing protective vests but haven’t been using riot gear or carrying guns, had tried to slowly advance on the protesters.
But that resulted in a number of physical confrontations. A video of two female officers briefly dragging a naked woman by her hair from amid a scuffle went viral.
In a response to questions from The Associated Press, New Zealand police said they did not remove the woman’s clothing as some people had claimed online, and that she had been naked for “some time” before her arrest. Police also said the images and videos didn’t provide the full context of the protest activity or the situation that police faced.
Still, the scuffles seemed to prompt a strategic rethink by police, who appeared more content to wait it out as the week wore on. But by Friday, Mallard, the Parliament speaker, had seen enough, and told staff to turn on the sprinklers overnight
“I ordered them on,” he confirmed to the AP.
“No one who is here is here legally, and if they’re getting wet from below as well as above, they’re likely to be a little bit less comfortable and more likely to go home,” Mallard said, according to news organization Stuff.
“Some people have suggested we add the vaccine in the water, but I don’t think it works that way,” he joked.
Mallard told media he was responsible for the sound system loop as well.
Some of the protesters’ vehicles have remained parked in the middle of streets around Parliament, forcing some street closures. The National Library and many cafes and bars in the area have closed their doors while the protest plays out. Police said one protester had a medical event on Friday evening and an ambulance was unable to reach him because of the vehicles blocking the streets, resulting in a delay before he was treated.
Among the protesters’ grievances is the requirement in New Zealand that certain workers get vaccinated against COVID-19, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel. Many protesters also oppose mask mandates — such as those in stores and among children over about age 8 in classrooms — and champion the ideal of more “freedom.”
Parliament’s grounds have often been the site of peaceful protests, although mass campouts are unusual. Typically at least some politicians will come out to listen to the concerns of protesters, but politicians reconvening at Parliament after a summer break were in rare unison by not acknowledging the protesters.
New Zealand was 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.
But some have grown weary of the restrictions. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last week said the country would end its quarantine requirements for incoming travelers in stages as it reopened its borders. With about 77% of New Zealanders vaccinated, Ardern has also promised she won’t impose more lockdowns.
An outbreak of the omicron variant has been growing, with New Zealand reporting a record 454 new community cases Saturday. But none of the 27 people hospitalized from the outbreak needed to be in intensive care beds.
Demonstrations began when a convoy of trucks and cars drove to Wellington from around the nation, inspired by protests in Canada.
NICK PERRY
02/12/2022
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Some countries might send in a riot squad to disperse trespassing protesters. In New Zealand, authorities turned on the sprinklers and Barry Manilow.
Initial moves to try and flush out several hundred protesters who have been camped on Parliament’s grassy grounds since Tuesday had little effect.
The protesters, who have been voicing their opposition to coronavirus vaccine mandates, responded to the soaking from the sprinklers by digging trenches and installing makeshift drainpipes to divert the water.
When a downpour hit Saturday, their numbers only grew. Protesters brought in bales of straw, which they scattered on the increasingly sodden grounds at Parliament. Some shouted, others danced and one group performed an Indigenous Maori haka.
By evening, Parliament Speaker Trevor Mallard had come up with a new plan to make the protesters uncomfortable: using a sound system to blast out vaccine messages, decades-old Barry Manilow songs and the 1990s earworm hit “Macarena” on a repeat loop. Protesters responded by playing their own tunes, including Twister Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”
The protest began when a convoy of trucks and cars drove to Parliament from around the nation, inspired by protests in Canada. At first there were more than 1,000 protesters but that number dwindled as the week wore on before growing again on Saturday.
Police have been taking a more hands-off approach since Thursday, when they arrested 122 people and charged many of them with trespassing or obstruction. Police, who have been wearing protective vests but haven’t been using riot gear or carrying guns, had tried to slowly advance on the protesters.
But that resulted in a number of physical confrontations. A video of two female officers briefly dragging a naked woman by her hair from amid a scuffle went viral.
In a response to questions from The Associated Press, New Zealand police said they did not remove the woman’s clothing as some people had claimed online, and that she had been naked for “some time” before her arrest. Police also said the images and videos didn’t provide the full context of the protest activity or the situation that police faced.
Still, the scuffles seemed to prompt a strategic rethink by police, who appeared more content to wait it out as the week wore on. But by Friday, Mallard, the Parliament speaker, had seen enough, and told staff to turn on the sprinklers overnight
“I ordered them on,” he confirmed to the AP.
“No one who is here is here legally, and if they’re getting wet from below as well as above, they’re likely to be a little bit less comfortable and more likely to go home,” Mallard said, according to news organization Stuff.
“Some people have suggested we add the vaccine in the water, but I don’t think it works that way,” he joked.
Mallard told media he was responsible for the sound system loop as well.
Some of the protesters’ vehicles have remained parked in the middle of streets around Parliament, forcing some street closures. The National Library and many cafes and bars in the area have closed their doors while the protest plays out. Police said one protester had a medical event on Friday evening and an ambulance was unable to reach him because of the vehicles blocking the streets, resulting in a delay before he was treated.
Among the protesters’ grievances is the requirement in New Zealand that certain workers get vaccinated against COVID-19, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel. Many protesters also oppose mask mandates — such as those in stores and among children over about age 8 in classrooms — and champion the ideal of more “freedom.”
Parliament’s grounds have often been the site of peaceful protests, although mass campouts are unusual. Typically at least some politicians will come out to listen to the concerns of protesters, but politicians reconvening at Parliament after a summer break were in rare unison by not acknowledging the protesters.
New Zealand was 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.
But some have grown weary of the restrictions. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last week said the country would end its quarantine requirements for incoming travelers in stages as it reopened its borders. With about 77% of New Zealanders vaccinated, Ardern has also promised she won’t impose more lockdowns.
An outbreak of the omicron variant has been growing, with New Zealand reporting a record 454 new community cases Saturday. But none of the 27 people hospitalized from the outbreak needed to be in intensive care beds.
