Wellington protest: Freedom and Rights coalition march on Parliament ends, roads to reopen
Protesters led by Brian Tamaki descended on Parliament this morning protesting gender identity, politics, and everything in between.
An estimated 2000 people marched from Civic Square to Parliament this morning in the ‘Abandon Agenda 2030′ march. The march was billed as a protest against Agenda 2030 - a United Nations (UN) led movement which supports countries who voluntarily sign up to achieve 17 sustainable development goals. These goals range from ending poverty, to ensuring healthy living - but are not legally binding.
The conference was supposed to be held at Parliament on Thursday and included former Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield as a keynote speaker. However, concerns over safety due to the protest meant the conference was moved online.
This did not stop the crowds of protesters led by Hannah and Brian Tamaki. The pair spoke to the crowds at Civic Square and again at Parliament, largely about gender identity.
There was a huge police presence for the rally, and several roads throughout Wellington have been closed since Tuesday night in preparation for the disruption.
Once at Parliament Brian Tamaki once again addressed the crowd and encouraged them to vote in what he called “the election of New Zealand’s lifetime”.
Tamaki, along with his wife is the co-founder of the new Freedoms New Zealand political party.
“I want New Zealand again to rise up out of the ashes. . . I have a vision of a New Zealand that can be great again.”
He called for a “ballot box revolution”.
After his speech, the protest largely dispersed and fizzled out.
There were also bollards set up at the gates of Parliament.
Acting Superintendent Wade Jennings said the roads around Parliament will be reopened this afternoon now that the protesters have left.
Police reported no issues from the protest, he said.
“Police maintained a high presence in the city to manage traffic and keep counter-protest groups apart ... approximately 100 staff were on duty for the protest and march, which was uneventful.”
Jenning said police were pleased things went well.
“The ability to protest peacefully is an important part of being a democratic community – but key for us is this activity remains peaceful.
“With protesters largely gone from the area, we are now keen to reopen the roads and restore people’s ability to travel through the area.”
Police will continue to have a presence around the Parliamentary precinct this evening and overnight.
Blog below
Protest over, live coverage ends
Vita
The NZ Herald's live coverage will now conclude.
Protesters have begun to trickle back out of Parliament after the rally finished.
Tamaki gives 'I have a dream' speech
Vita
Brian Tamaki is giving an “I have a dream” speech. He gave a sermon to the crowd claiming God had been "booted out" of New Zealand.
“On the 14th of October is the election of New Zealand’s lifetime."
"None of the other parties were bold or courageous enough to make decisions for the people," he said.
He said he was focused on gender issues, housing, health and roads. He also referenced the "climate scam" and education.
"I want New Zealand again to rise up out of the ashes. . . I have a vision of a New Zealand that can be great again."
Tamaki called for a “ballot box revolution”.
“You think I want to sit in there?” he said pointing to the Beehive. “Absolutely not, I’ve got better things to do.”
Destiny's Church and Tamaki have been active in politics since 2003 when he first attempted to get into Government.
Destiny New Zealand was deregistered in 2007, but Tamaki continued to try and get elected.
In 2019 he announced Coalition New Zealand, and attempted to get into Parliament in the 2020 election.
He garnered less than 1 per cent of the vote.
Controversial lawyer Sue Grey speaks
Vita
Sue Grey thanked the crowd for coming, telling them that "together we're better".
She asked if they were happy with the current performance of the Government or the opposition - and they booed back.
They cheered as she asked, "how many of you are ready for a change?"
She said mainstream media showed a different view of Brian Tamaki than the man she knew.
“They are scared of giving us airtime because they know that truth prevails.”
(The NZ Herald live updates of this protest have been running since 7.25am)
Brian Tamaki addresses crowd
Vita
Brian Tamaki is now addressing the crowd.
He said the campaign has been an “incredible journey”.
“I’ve worked hard all my life and now I’ve seen the New Zealand that I grew up in no longer exist. This is a different New Zealand, a dangerous one.”
Tamaki said this election was "the most important election of our lifetime".
Protesters applaud police, sing
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Protesters are applauding the police, who have set up with cameras.
"Give it up for our policeman today," said Heker Roberston the deputy leader of Vision NZ.
"They do some good work, the ones I deal with have been amazing. Good New Zealanders who signed up to protect law and order and let us do what we do safely - sadly not all of them are like that."
The group also sang the national anthem in English and Māori.
Hannah Tamaki is addressing protesters. She said she did not want to see children fighting the battles that “we are having to fight”.
She said the “hype” around the potential for violence at the protest was “very sad”.
Protest arrives at Parliament
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The march has reached Parliament and people are pouring into the grounds from every entrance.
Michael Jackson's 'They Don't Care About Us' is blaring as Brian Tamaki speaks to the crowd about gender identity.
A heavy police presence is at the protest as children are invited to come to the front of the crowd, in front of the 'Leave our kids alone' banner.
Counter-protesters prepare for Tamaki's arrival
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A small group of counter-protesters have set themselves up near Parliament to wait for the hundreds of protesters to arrive.
The group, from Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition are carrying signs reading "Brian smells" and "Aroha not hōhā".
A line of police is separating the protesters and counter-protesters.
Willis St closed, motorbikes join protesters
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Police have closed off Willis St as the protesters make their way towards Parliament.
The protesters are chanting "hands off our children" as they walk, and at least one motorbike has mounted the pavement.
Some members of the public are watching the passing march with looks of bewilderment on their faces
Protesters on the move
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The protesters are now starting to move, with women and children being told to get to the front of the march towards Parliament.
The group will march down Willis St and Lambton Quay before arriving at Parliament
Hannah Tamaki addresses crowd
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Hannah Tamaki is speaking to the crowd, saying that men are "trying to take women's rights away".
Tamaki is encouraging women to come up to the stage and speak about what they think women's rights are.
"This is about us representing everybody - you're free to choose."
Julian Batchelor from the Stop Co-Governance movement is now addressing the crowd.
“We are supposed to be one people, Māori and Pakeha together, not separate.”
Gang hikoi reaches Parliament
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As Brian Tamaki prepares to march to Parliament, a gang hikoi which has been travelling down from Northland since last week met National's law and order Mark Mitchell on the steps of Parliament.
The hikoi was to deliver a petition against National and ACTs policies around gangs.
Hundreds prepare to march
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At least 500 people are packed into Civic Square ahead of this morning's march to Parliament.
Destiny Church worship leader Kaleb Cave is speaking on the stage. He reiterated today's protest would be peaceful. He also described it as a revolution.
He encouraged people to use their phones to film and photograph “anything suspicious”.
He listed multiple things he said were “under attack”, including women’s rights, sexuality and freedom of speech. He listed other issues such as homelessness and the cost of living
Tamaki advocates for peaceful protest, denies being part of occupation
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Brian Tamaki told the waiting crowd he has had nothing but peaceful protests, and that he wasn’t involved in the occupation last year.
He said the UN Agenda 2030 conference was moved because the police and media said the protest would be “violent”.
“Protests are supposed to be disruptive but peacefully disruptive," he said.
He claimed his voice was being silenced.
"In a world that cancels us, silences us, so we need to be heard."
He said New Zealand was controlled, muzzled and censored
Tamaki's on their way
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Brian and Hannah Tamaki have left their hotel room and are en-route to Civic Square to meet the protesters.
There was cheers and claps as Brian Tamaki made his way through the crowd in Civic Square
Protesters start to gather
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A few hundred people have gathered in Wellington’s Civic Square ahead of this morning’s protest.
People can be seen with ‘Vote Freedom and Rights Coalition’ signs and some are wearing New Zealand flags around their shoulders.
One teenager can be seen carrying a speakerphone.
Signs carry phrases such as “groom dogs not children” and “revolution not evolution”.
Many people are dressed in black, and wearing branded clothing bearing the slogans of Freedoms and Vision parties, Destiny Church, and the church’s Man Up program.
Tertiary Union in support of counter protest
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The Victoria University branch of the Tertiary Union is publicly acknowledging the staff, students and security at the Law School today.
The union posted on Twitter that they are thinking of all those at the campus today.
“Swift, brave action from security staff at the end of last year’s occupation protected the Law School. Thank you”.
It also thanked the Victoria University Students Association for supporting the counter-protest scheduled for this morning.
People told to work from home, avoid parts of city
Katrina
An email to Stats NZ staff seen by the Herald encouraged workers to avoid wearing their government IDs and lanyards outside the building today and be “extra mindful” of people entering doors behind them.
“Be aware that public transport may be impacted. If you plan to work at [the office] this Thursday, you may want to avoid the areas where the protesters are likely to be.”
An email sent to staff working in Parliament asked “as many people as possible” to work from home.
“Our people’s safety and security are our key priority, and additional security measures will be in place on the day.”
The Terrace Medical Centre is also encouraging patients to take virtual appointments “wherever possible” due to road closure and traffic issues as a result of the protest.
“We are unsure of exact road closures at this point, however, the roads surrounding Parliament will be closed for safety reasons so parking will be extremely limited. We would suggest that unless you need to come in, that you have a phone or video consult with your GP instead.”
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment is also recommending its staff work from home.
“MBIE has been monitoring the situation around this week’s planned protest activities. At this stage, with most of the protest activity expected to occur in the Wellington CBD on Thursday, 28 September 2023, we have recommended that our people leaders support our staff to work from home on Thursday if they choose to do so.
“For those who are in the workplace, we have additional security measures in place to ensure they remain safe.”
Who is protesting today?
Katrina
The Freedoms and Rights Coalition led by Destiny Church founder and political hopeful Brian Tamaki is a “people’s movement” which formed in 2021 in opposition to the Government’s Covid-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions.
The group participated in the 2022 occupation of Parliament which ended in a fiery clash with police as they were forcibly removed.
The group has held several other protests since, including a “People’s Court” on Parliament grounds in August 2022.
With Covid-19 restrictions now lifted, the group has pivoted to opposing “reckless” Government spending, standing up for religious rights and resisting what it says is Government intervention in family life.
There are still sections on the FRC website which reference “never-ending lockdowns” and Covid management.
As well as Tamaki’s protest, protesters from farmers advocacy group Groundswell are also making their way past Wellington en route to Auckland on Thursday.
The Drive 4 Change event will be travelling north on State Highway 1 from Timaru to Christchurch over the weekend, and through to Wellington on Thursday as part of participants’ drive all the way to Auckland.
A spokesperson said the protest is not one of the groups heading to Parliament and will be bypassing Wellington city.
Road closures and bus detours
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Protest will be peaceful - Hannah Tamaki
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Leader of Vision NZ Hannah Tamaki, and wife of Brian Tamaki said she expects “maybe a few hundred” people to turn up and protest this morning.
Speaking to Sean Plunket on The Platform, Tamaki said the protest would be peaceful and she had no plans of occupying Parliament.
“I want to sleep in a warm bed tonight thank you very much.”
Questioned on what the protest was about, Tamaki said that people “want change”.
“We want change, we’re fed up – not everyone because there’s a lot of woke people."
Tamaki said she had been in contact with the police about the protest.
“We’ve made it very clear what our intention is.”
She said the protest was against international interference in New Zealand, referencing United Nations Association of New Zealand ‘s Agenda 2030 conference which was to be held at Parliament, but has now been moved online as a result of the protest,
Agenda 2030 looks at New Zealand’s progress on the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals
The goals are not written into legislation, but are voluntarily reported by the countries which have signed up. They include things like ending poverty, promoting peace and ensuring people are leading healthy lives.
Hospitality sector frustrated with disruption
Vita
Wellington is bracing itself for the protest this morning with Hoff Hospitality Group Director Matt McLaughlin saying he hopes it all blows over peacefully.
McLaughlin told Mike Hosking this morning the protest is “the last thing we need”.
“We’re fed up with this kind of thing. We have all the Restore Passenger Rail idiots, and now we have this – it’s the last thing we need because it’s just constant disruption to our business.”
Asked whether all the preparations from the police were overkill, McLaughlin said no.
“[Inspector] Wade Jennings who’s put all this in place, he’s an old school Wellington cop. He knows his stuff and he knows if he didn’t do this and it got away on him, we’d turn around and throw the book at him.”
Vita
Mōrena and welcome to the NZ Herald's live coverage of today's protest at Parliament. As protesters prepare to descend on the capital, we will be bringing you all the updates you need as they happen.
Acting Superintendent Wade Jennings said he expected there to be at least 120 to 130 police in Wellington during the day.
Police have been planning for the protest for several weeks and were well-placed to respond to a number and range of scenarios.
“For those coming to march and protest at Parliament, we respect people’s right to demonstrate peacefully in support of their cause, but we are prepared to take enforcement action if it stops being peaceful.
“We will have a very low tolerance for any structures being set up on the grounds, and we do have the ability to mobilise additional staff quickly if required. Tow trucks will be on standby in the city.”
He also asked the public to be their eyes and ears, particularly on Lambton Quay, during the march.
“We will likely want to see any video footage of unlawful activity, and people can report this through 105. But we are also asking that people don’t intervene or compromise their own safety.”
Jennings also said he had a message for protesters.
“Welcome to Wellington. Please park your car legally. Enjoy your walk to Parliament through our city. Enjoy your [time] on Parliament grounds. Have your say, have your voices heard. Leave Parliament and have a safe journey home.”
Who is protesting?
The Freedoms and Rights Coalition led by Destiny Church founder and political hopeful Brian Tamaki is a “people’s movement” which formed in 2021 in opposition to the Government’s Covid-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions.
The group participated in the 2022 occupation of Parliament which ended in a fiery clash with police as they were forcibly removed.
The group has held several other protests since, including a “People’s Court” on Parliament grounds in August 2022.
With Covid-19 restrictions now lifted, the group has pivoted to opposing “reckless” Government spending, standing up for religious rights and resisting what it says is Government intervention in family life.
There are still sections on the FRC website which reference “never-ending lockdowns” and Covid management.
As well as Tamaki’s protest, protesters from farmers advocacy group Groundswell are also making their way past Wellington en route to Auckland on Thursday.
The Drive 4 Change event will be travelling north on State Highway 1 from Timaru to Christchurch over the weekend, and through to Wellington on Thursday as part of participants’ drive all the way to Auckland.
A spokesperson said the protest is not one of the groups heading to Parliament and will be bypassing Wellington city.
What are they protesting?
However, Thursday’s protest is not to do with Covid-19 but rather the United Nations.
The name of the protest “Abandon Agenda 2023″ is a reference to the national conference Agenda 2030, which looks at New Zealand’s progress on the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. One of the keynote speakers for the conference is former director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.
The goals are not written into legislation, but are voluntarily reported by the countries which have signed up. They include things like ending poverty, promoting peace and ensuring people are leading healthy lives.
The conference was scheduled at Parliament for Thursday but has now been moved online as a result of safety concerns due to the protest.
Which roads are closed?
Several bus routes will be disrupted, possibly for days due to the protest and road closures.
Police Acting Superintendent Wade Jennings said parts of Hill St between Molesworth St and Guildford Terrace will be closed to general traffic from midnight tonight and restrictions for general traffic will also be in place for Kate Sheppard Place, and Bunny St near the bus depot.
There are also significant roadworks near Molesworth/Hawkestone Streets, and on Aitken St and police say this will further restrict vehicle movement.
Police will have a high visibility to provide reassurance to the community.
From Wednesday detours will be in place for the 14, 22, 81 and 84 routes. All stops on Molesworth St are closed.
Metlink will have staff on the ground, including at the bus exchange, monitoring the situation.
“The safety of our passengers and people is our top priority, as is minimising any disruption to the wider public transport network,” says Metlink group manager Samantha Gain.
Wellington City Council spokeswoman Victoria Barton-Chapple said the council was aware that protest groups were converging on Wellington’s CBD.
“A number of road closures and diversions are in place.”
Barton-Chapple said the protesters had not submitted a traffic management plan, but the council had received one from the police and approved it.
The plan will be in place from this evening.
“It’s recommended commuters and people who work or move through the area plan ahead, and while we anticipate there will be more people in the area, we will endeavour to keep traffic disruption to a minimum.”
What businesses are affected?
An email to Stats NZ seen by the Herald encouraged workers to avoid wearing their government IDs and lanyards outside the building and be “extra mindful” of people entering doors behind them.
“Be aware that public transport may be impacted. If you plan to work at [the office] this Thursday, you may want to avoid the areas where the protesters are likely to be.”
An email sent to staff working in Parliament asked “as many people as possible” to work from home.
“Our people’s safety and security are our key priority, and additional security measures will be in place on the day.”
The Terrace Medical Centre is also encouraging patients to take virtual appointments “wherever possible” due to road closure and traffic issues as a result of the protest
“We are unsure of exact road closures at this point, however, the roads surrounding Parliament will be closed for safety reasons so parking will be extremely limited. We would suggest that unless you need to come in, that you have a phone or video consult with your GP instead.”
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment is also recommending its staff work from home.
“MBIE has been monitoring the situation around this week’s planned protest activities. At this stage, with most of the protest activity expected to occur in the Wellington CBD on Thursday, 28 September 2023, we have recommended that our people leaders support our staff to work from home on Thursday if they choose to do so.
“For those who are in the workplace, we have additional security measures in place to ensure they remain safe.”
Vita Molyneux is a Wellington-based journalist who covers breaking news and stories from the capital. She has been a journalist since 2018 and joined the Herald in 2021.