Protesters Gather outside New Zealand Parliament

About 2,000 anti-government demonstrators have gathered outside New Zealand’s parliament to vent their frustration on a range of issues.

This comes nearly six months after protesters were forcibly removed from the grounds of the legislature.

The protesters, organised by the Freedom and Rights Coalition, arrived from around New Zealand and assembled on the lawns outside parliament in the capital, Wellington, as politicians worked inside.

Issues
Meanwhile, people, some with placards calling for freedom, were protesting over a range of issues including tighter environmental regulations for farmers, a government bid to take over regionally owned water assets and now largely removed COVID-19 restrictions.

One protester, Danny Hanif said, “Our government, they’re not really working for us.”

Hanif said the government was not listening to people on the issue of the ownership of water assets.

Report says counter-protesters also gathered in a bid to counter hate, homophobia, bigotry, and disinformation from the Freedom and Rights Coalition.

Police Presence
However, barriers were erected in front of parliament and there was a heavy police presence around the grounds.

Police in March ended an anti-vaccine protest that had disrupted the capital for three weeks, dismantling an encampment in the same location, towing away vehicles, and arresting dozens. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters on Monday that parliament had long welcomed peaceful protesters and she wanted this to resume. Although she did not meet the protesters.

REUTERS/CO