Today's protest was organised by groups including the Freedom and Rights Coalition, Stop Co-Governance and Convoy Coalition protesting over claims about the United Nations' "Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development".
The “Abandon Agenda 2030″ protest took aim at a raft of issues, including 15-minute cities, women’s rights, sexuality and freedom of speech.
Speakers at the event frequently attacked the transgender rights movement and made claims about sex education in schools.
Several political speeches by Brian Tamaki and Sue Grey from the Freedoms NZ party were read at the event.
The march was met by a small group of counter-protesters from Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition.
About 600 protesters had gathered at Civic Square before setting off, according to RNZ reporters on the scene.
There was an extra police presence in the capital, roads were closed and bus routes diverted with police saying officers were "prepared and on alert" and would be "highly visible across Wellington city".
Police were on high alert after the event, which brought back memories of the 23-day occupation of Parliament in 2022 which ended violently. Officers wearing protective gear removed protesters after a fire was started and objects thrown.
However, police reported no issues today.
"Approximately 100 staff were on duty for the protest and march, which was uneventful," Acting Superintendent Wade Jennings, Relieving Wellington District Commander, said.
Police estimated 2000 people marched from Civic Square to Parliament after gathering around 10am.
"We are pleased that our message to protesters seems to have been heeded. The ability to protest peacefully is an important part of being a democratic community - but key for us, is this activity remains peaceful," Jennings said.
"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. Reopening the roads earlier than planned is important for our local community and businesses who have been disrupted the most by this activity."
Earlier, Jennings said police had 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."
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.”
He also 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.”
'This is a different New Zealand'
Addressing the crowd at Parliament, Brian Tamaki said the campaign had 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 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.
Tamaki 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.”
The protest kicked off about 10am, and included convoys of participants from the Far North and from the South Island.
An RNZ reporter at the scene said they spoke to a few Wellingtonians on the way who said it had disrupted business for them today and they had been on high alert.
RNZ reporters said it was mainly peaceful and there were no signs of the aggression seen last year.
Several people addressed the crowd at Civic Square earlier, including Tamaki, his wife Hannah, and Julian Batchelor from the Stop Co-Governance movement.
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.
Hannah Tamaki said men were "trying to take women's rights away".
Batchelor said: “We are supposed to be one people, Māori and Pakeha together, not separate.”
Police earlier were preparing by closing roads, having tow trucks on standby, and bringing in a special team of 88 public order policing officers from around the country.
Bollards were set up at the gates of Parliament.
Speaking to Sean Plunket on The Platform earlier today, Hannah 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."
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.
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.
- RNZ and NZ Herald
