Thousands storm New Zealand parliament to protest against mandatory vaccines and lockdowns - with demonstrators even performing an anti-vax HAKA for the crowd
- Protest was staged in the New Zealand capital on Tuesday, thousands attended
- Demonstrators opposed to Covid vaccine mandates and government lockdowns
- A portion of anti-vaxxers were seen performing a passionate traditional haka
- New Zealand, with a population of just over five million, has had 32 Covid deaths
New Zealand has beefed up security measures at its parliament as thousands gathered to protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates and government lockdowns.
On Tuesday, all but two entrances to the parliament building, known as the Beehive, were closed off in the presence of high levels of police and security personnel, as mostly unmasked protesters marched through central Wellington and congregated outside parliament.
While the demonstration was peaceful, many people were seen holding signs and placards - with messages including 'Freedom' and 'Kiwis are not lab rats' - and shouting slogans as they demanded the government roll back compulsory vaccination and lift restrictions.
Thousands of people gathered in New Zealand's capital Wellington on Tuesday to protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates and government lockdowns
The protest was described as peaceful, with many protesters marching through central Wellington and congregating outside parliament
'I will not be coerced and I will not be forced into taking something I don't want in my body,' one protester said.
'I'm asking (the government) to give us back 2018. Simple as that. I want my freedoms back.'
New Zealand has struggled to fight off an outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant, forcing Jacinda Ardern to move from a strategy of elimination through lockdowns to living with the virus with higher vaccinations.
The Prime Minister last month said the country would require teachers and workers in the health and disability sectors to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and has pledged to end restrictions only after 90 per cent of the eligible population is inoculated.
Share this article
That threshold is higher than many other countries and has invited criticism from people calling for more freedoms, while the mandate will be a hurdle for those looking to get back to work but still avoiding the jab.
New Zealand still has among the lowest number of Covid-19 cases in the world with fewer than 8000 reported so far and 32 deaths.
It reported 125 new cases on Tuesday and its total double-dose vaccination rate has reached nearly 80 per cent of its eligible population.
A number of anti-vaxxers were seen performing a traditional haka during the Freedom and Rights Coalition protest
This protestor felt forced vaccines were a form of modern day fascism in New Zealand
Police were out in force for the Freedom and Rights Coalition protest in Wellington, New Zealand on Tuesday
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
