Numerous trucks, cars and other automobiles gathered around New Zealand’s Parliament in the country’s capital Wellington on 8th February to protest the government’s vaccine mandate. The protest has been christened as “Convoy For Freedom 2022” which mirrors the similar protests occurring in Canada presently against COVID19 restriction. It has attracted hundreds of protesters from across the country. “We are fighting for New Zealand's freedom,” read a Facebook page of Convoy 2022 NZ.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has acknowledged the protests but has refused to engage with them, terming their demands as a minority view. “…I think it would be wrong to in any way characterise what we've seen outside as a representation of the majority…The majority of New Zealanders have done everything they can to keep one another safe,” PM Arden said after an address to the Parliament. “This too will pass,” she added.
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Local police are an alert as they try to ensure there is no fresh outbreak of COVID in the city. They are also trying to ensure that the traffic moves slowly. “Motorists travelling into Wellington from the Hutt Valley and Kāpiti should anticipate delays and consider delaying travel… Police will continue to monitor this activity,” a spokesperson for police said.
New Zealand opposition leader Christopher Luxon of the National Party has supported the police in taking necessary actions to secure the area. “The Police outside Parliament today have done a fine job providing security to this important place. I want to thank them for their efforts. Everyone has the right to protest but folk shouldn’t be breaking rules, getting aggressive, or impinging on other people’s daily lives,” Luxon tweeted.
However, Kiwi prominent politician, Winston Peters of the New Zealand First Party, has supported the protests and called for a dialogue. “The freedom convoy heading to parliament represents a large number of kiwis who are frustrated with the govts delays, inconsistencies and incompetence resulting in the loss of freedoms and livelihoods. We all should listen to the legitimately frustrated kiwis - including the PM,” Peters tweeted.
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These protests are occurring against the October 2021 vaccine mandate imposed by the government. “We’re mandating vaccination for workers at businesses where customers need to show COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates to make those workplaces as safe as possible and give confidence to staff and customers,” said country's Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Michael Wood.
These protests come on the back of the “Truckers Protests” in Canada where truckers have gathered in the capital city Ottawa to protest vaccine mandates and restrictions for truckers crossing the US-Canada borders.
