The convoy has continued to disrupt the capital of Wellington.
Protesters near the parliament in Wellington (New Zealand Herald via AP)
By Nick Perry, AP
February 14 2022
New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has accused coronavirus restrictions protesters of using “intimidation and harassment”, as a convoy of demonstrators continues to disrupt the capital, Wellington.
Police initially allowed protesters to set up tents and camp on the grounds of New Zealand’s parliament before arresting 122 people on Thursday, before backing off again.
The size of the protest dropped to a few hundred last week but increased again to around 3,000 over the weekend.
By Nick Perry, AP
February 14 2022
New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has accused coronavirus restrictions protesters of using “intimidation and harassment”, as a convoy of demonstrators continues to disrupt the capital, Wellington.
Police initially allowed protesters to set up tents and camp on the grounds of New Zealand’s parliament before arresting 122 people on Thursday, before backing off again.
The size of the protest dropped to a few hundred last week but increased again to around 3,000 over the weekend.
Ms Ardern said the conduct of some demonstrators ‘cannot be tolerated’ (New Zealand Herald via AP)
Ms Ardern has told reporters that the conduct of the camped out protesters “cannot be tolerated”.
Her comments come as authorities have moved to taking a harsher stance toward the convoy of demonstrators that have camped out on New Zealand parliament’s grounds for nearly a week and blocked surrounding streets.
Ms Ardern said: “I very clearly have a view on the protesters and the way that they’ve conducted their protest because it has moved beyond sharing a view to intimidation and harassment of the people around central Wellington.
“That cannot be tolerated.”
Ms Ardern has told reporters that the conduct of the camped out protesters “cannot be tolerated”.
Her comments come as authorities have moved to taking a harsher stance toward the convoy of demonstrators that have camped out on New Zealand parliament’s grounds for nearly a week and blocked surrounding streets.
Ms Ardern said: “I very clearly have a view on the protesters and the way that they’ve conducted their protest because it has moved beyond sharing a view to intimidation and harassment of the people around central Wellington.
“That cannot be tolerated.”
The protesters are not planning to leave any time soon (New Zealand Herald via AP)
Parliament speaker Trevor Mallard tried to make the protesters uncomfortable last week by turning on lawn sprinklers and blasting out decades-old Barry Manilow songs and the 1990s hit Macarena on a repeat loop.
Police on Monday told protesters to move their illegally parked vehicles as soon as possible, offering them alternative parking at a nearby stadium.
“Wellingtonians have the right to move freely and safely around the city so all roads being clear is a top priority,” said Superintendent Corrie Parnell, the Wellington district commander.
The protesters, who oppose coronavirus vaccine mandates and were inspired by similar protests in Canada, appear fairly well organised after trucking in portable toilets, crates of donated food, and bales of straw to lay down when the grass turned to mud.
Parliament speaker Trevor Mallard tried to make the protesters uncomfortable last week by turning on lawn sprinklers and blasting out decades-old Barry Manilow songs and the 1990s hit Macarena on a repeat loop.
Police on Monday told protesters to move their illegally parked vehicles as soon as possible, offering them alternative parking at a nearby stadium.
“Wellingtonians have the right to move freely and safely around the city so all roads being clear is a top priority,” said Superintendent Corrie Parnell, the Wellington district commander.
The protesters, who oppose coronavirus vaccine mandates and were inspired by similar protests in Canada, appear fairly well organised after trucking in portable toilets, crates of donated food, and bales of straw to lay down when the grass turned to mud.
The demonstration has been going on for nearly a week (New Zealand Herald via AP)
Despite the arrests and scuffles with police last week, dozens of tents remain on parliament’s grounds, with cars and trucks blocking surrounding streets. Protesters lined up on Monday for a breakfast of barbecued sausages and schnitzels after surviving a weekend of torrential rain.
New Zealand has mandated that certain workers get vaccinated against Covid-19, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel.
A vaccine pass is also required to enter most stores and restaurants.
The protests come just as New Zealand experiences its first widespread outbreak of Covid-19, after keeping its borders closed for much of the pandemic.
Despite the arrests and scuffles with police last week, dozens of tents remain on parliament’s grounds, with cars and trucks blocking surrounding streets. Protesters lined up on Monday for a breakfast of barbecued sausages and schnitzels after surviving a weekend of torrential rain.
New Zealand has mandated that certain workers get vaccinated against Covid-19, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel.
A vaccine pass is also required to enter most stores and restaurants.
The protests come just as New Zealand experiences its first widespread outbreak of Covid-19, after keeping its borders closed for much of the pandemic.
Ms Ardern signalled a tougher response from authorities (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Daily case numbers jumped to a new high of nearly 1,000 on Monday, up from about 200 per day just five days earlier.
However, not a single patient was in intensive care, thanks in part to a vaccination rate of 77% and what experts have described as the comparatively less severe symptoms of the Omicron variant.
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 five million.
Ms Ardern said the timing of the mass demo could not be any worse.
“At the very point where we are seeing an increase in cases, and an increase in risk to the public health and wellbeing of New Zealand, they want to see removed the very measures that have kept us safe, well and alive,” she said.
Daily case numbers jumped to a new high of nearly 1,000 on Monday, up from about 200 per day just five days earlier.
However, not a single patient was in intensive care, thanks in part to a vaccination rate of 77% and what experts have described as the comparatively less severe symptoms of the Omicron variant.
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 five million.
Ms Ardern said the timing of the mass demo could not be any worse.
“At the very point where we are seeing an increase in cases, and an increase in risk to the public health and wellbeing of New Zealand, they want to see removed the very measures that have kept us safe, well and alive,” she said.
Sanitation and 'squalor' causing emerging health issues at Parliament protest, concerns for children
Sophie Cornish and Tom Hunt
Sophie Cornish and Tom Hunt
SCOOP NZ
Feb 13 2022
Protesters dance to the Macarena, which was one of the songs played loudly to deter people who had gathered on the lawn in front of parliament.
Sanitation issues, including faeces on the ground, along with the presence of children at the Parliament protest are causing major concern for police as the event looks to stretch into its seventh day.
Speaking to media on Sunday evening, Wellington district commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said as a result of extensive rain, wider health issues beyond the spread of Covid-19, are emerging.
“You've seen a number of medical events over the past few days, and those will continue to exacerbate. Nonetheless, the primary concern to me is the presence of the children,” he said.
Parnell described the scenes of children playing on the ground and the “squalor of water” and defecation as being of concern.
READ MORE:
* Manilow, the Macarena, and Mallard versus the Parliamentary protesters
* Loud music blasted to deter Parliament protesters in Wellington
* Soggy morning for Parliament protesters as they dig trenches to redirect sprinklers
Unblocking several central Wellington roads remains the key focus for police, but conversations with organisers so far have been unsuccessful.
“The primary focus now is to appeal to those key organisers, leaders of the various factions, to engage with us,” he said.
KEVIN STENT/STUFF
A night of heavy rain and wind is causing health issues at the Parliament protest.
Parnell promised a “highly visible presence” around the Parliament grounds on Monday, with Police foot patrols up Molesworth Street, in the streets next to the protest, and around the train station.
Commuters travelling to the area are advised to plan for continued disruption to traffic, but Parnell said “we want everyone coming into the city to feel safe”.
Police will offer vehicle owners the opportunity to move their vehicles to a new location.
The Defence Force has also been involved in discussions about unblocking the roads.
“The plan is not to wait this out,” Parnell said.
“We simply won't resolve this overnight. There's a number of complexities there, and we simply won't arrest our way out of it.”
JERICHO ROCK-ARCHER/STUFF
Wellington district commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell.
On Thursday, a skirmish between a line of police and protesters resulted in more than 120 arrests. Some of those arrested have bail conditions to not return to the protest but had done so, he said.
“We're very conscious and aware of their presence there.”
Police are continuing to capture evidence where possible and will look to take “assertive action downstream” of unlawful behaviour, Parnell said.
STUFF
Protesters huddle around a gas heater.
The decision to blast loud music and turn on the sprinklers by Speaker Trevor Mallard in an attempt to deter protesters from Parliament’s front lawn was not made by police.
“It’s not a tactic we would encourage,” he said, but added “it is what it is, it happened”.
KEVIN STENT
A protester walks over what has been dubbed the ‘Mallard Bridge’.
Wellingtonians should expect “a very high presence” of police on the ground on Monday, in an attempt to reduce “unacceptable behaviours” such as threats to members of the public.
Businesses, individuals or groups offering catering and accommodation to protesters, described by Parnell as “sympathisers”, were ultimately supporting an unlawful occupation, he said.
ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF
The group of protesters has steadily increased in numbers over the day.
“I'm not happy with that because that hasn't assisted in terms of ultimately returning Wellington to some freedom.”
When asked whether police could have acted sooner, Parnell said “hindsight is a wonderful thing”.
“I don't think we could ever have predicted the scalability and actually what has played out here,” he said.
ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF
Repairs were carried out to camping equipment damaged overnight.
At its peak over the weekend, 3000 people attended the protest. About 400-500 people were staying in tents.
Police are aware of weapons on site, but not firearms. "We've seen the presence of baseball bats which are unlawful and won't be tolerated,” Parnell said.
ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF
Protesters doing the baby shark dance.
On Sunday, protesters donning rain ponchos, jackets, and umbrellas appear unfazed by the weather, chanting and dancing in the mud.
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Despite rumours circulating online about a woman with Covid-19 at the event, the Ministry of Health confirmed it was not aware of any.
KEVIN STENT/STUFF
Mats, carpet and hay have been put down to reduce the muddy conditions.
Earlier on Sunday morning, protesters were seen repairing camping equipment damaged by wind and heavy rain overnight, with broken gazebos, chairs, and tents piling up on the outskirts of the lawn.
Several more bales of hay have been brought in to cover the mud. A small group was seen warming themselves up around a large gas patio heater that had been brought onto the grounds.
Protesters dance to the Macarena, which was one of the songs played loudly to deter people who had gathered on the lawn in front of parliament.
Sanitation issues, including faeces on the ground, along with the presence of children at the Parliament protest are causing major concern for police as the event looks to stretch into its seventh day.
Speaking to media on Sunday evening, Wellington district commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said as a result of extensive rain, wider health issues beyond the spread of Covid-19, are emerging.
“You've seen a number of medical events over the past few days, and those will continue to exacerbate. Nonetheless, the primary concern to me is the presence of the children,” he said.
Parnell described the scenes of children playing on the ground and the “squalor of water” and defecation as being of concern.
READ MORE:
* Manilow, the Macarena, and Mallard versus the Parliamentary protesters
* Loud music blasted to deter Parliament protesters in Wellington
* Soggy morning for Parliament protesters as they dig trenches to redirect sprinklers
Unblocking several central Wellington roads remains the key focus for police, but conversations with organisers so far have been unsuccessful.
“The primary focus now is to appeal to those key organisers, leaders of the various factions, to engage with us,” he said.
KEVIN STENT/STUFF
A night of heavy rain and wind is causing health issues at the Parliament protest.
Parnell promised a “highly visible presence” around the Parliament grounds on Monday, with Police foot patrols up Molesworth Street, in the streets next to the protest, and around the train station.
Commuters travelling to the area are advised to plan for continued disruption to traffic, but Parnell said “we want everyone coming into the city to feel safe”.
Police will offer vehicle owners the opportunity to move their vehicles to a new location.
The Defence Force has also been involved in discussions about unblocking the roads.
“The plan is not to wait this out,” Parnell said.
“We simply won't resolve this overnight. There's a number of complexities there, and we simply won't arrest our way out of it.”
JERICHO ROCK-ARCHER/STUFF
Wellington district commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell.
On Thursday, a skirmish between a line of police and protesters resulted in more than 120 arrests. Some of those arrested have bail conditions to not return to the protest but had done so, he said.
“We're very conscious and aware of their presence there.”
Police are continuing to capture evidence where possible and will look to take “assertive action downstream” of unlawful behaviour, Parnell said.
STUFF
Protesters huddle around a gas heater.
The decision to blast loud music and turn on the sprinklers by Speaker Trevor Mallard in an attempt to deter protesters from Parliament’s front lawn was not made by police.
“It’s not a tactic we would encourage,” he said, but added “it is what it is, it happened”.
KEVIN STENT
A protester walks over what has been dubbed the ‘Mallard Bridge’.
Wellingtonians should expect “a very high presence” of police on the ground on Monday, in an attempt to reduce “unacceptable behaviours” such as threats to members of the public.
Businesses, individuals or groups offering catering and accommodation to protesters, described by Parnell as “sympathisers”, were ultimately supporting an unlawful occupation, he said.
ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF
The group of protesters has steadily increased in numbers over the day.
“I'm not happy with that because that hasn't assisted in terms of ultimately returning Wellington to some freedom.”
When asked whether police could have acted sooner, Parnell said “hindsight is a wonderful thing”.
“I don't think we could ever have predicted the scalability and actually what has played out here,” he said.
ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF
Repairs were carried out to camping equipment damaged overnight.
At its peak over the weekend, 3000 people attended the protest. About 400-500 people were staying in tents.
Police are aware of weapons on site, but not firearms. "We've seen the presence of baseball bats which are unlawful and won't be tolerated,” Parnell said.
ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF
Protesters doing the baby shark dance.
On Sunday, protesters donning rain ponchos, jackets, and umbrellas appear unfazed by the weather, chanting and dancing in the mud.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertise with Stuff
Despite rumours circulating online about a woman with Covid-19 at the event, the Ministry of Health confirmed it was not aware of any.
KEVIN STENT/STUFF
Mats, carpet and hay have been put down to reduce the muddy conditions.
Earlier on Sunday morning, protesters were seen repairing camping equipment damaged by wind and heavy rain overnight, with broken gazebos, chairs, and tents piling up on the outskirts of the lawn.
Several more bales of hay have been brought in to cover the mud. A small group was seen warming themselves up around a large gas patio heater that had been brought onto the grounds.
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