Mainstream coverage of the occupation of parliament grounds
- A convoy has arrived from the north and the numbers at the occupation have grown greatly despite the weather; The sociopathic Speaker of the House, Trevor Mallard ordered sprinklers to be turned when the rain started;
- Some woman who were arrested on Thursday were released; others (all nurses and midwives) refused to sign bail documents and have been kept in custody;
- The police were seemingly prepared to go in with batons but were stood down;
-
A kitchen, first aid area and toilets established at protest; Nobody has tried to enter the parliament buildings and protesters have shown respect for the place with the exception of a few infiltrators and agents provocateurs who may have been there on behalf of the police and politicians.
Live: Parliament grounds, surrounding streets fill up with protesters as wet weather rolls in
What you need to know / Kia mōhio mai koe:
11 February, 2022
* It’s Saturday and day five of protesters camping out on Parliament grounds.
* Protesters dug trenches overnight to combat Parliament’s sprinklers being left on.
* All protesters on the grounds have been trespassed and told to move on or face being arrested.
* Wellington businesses and workers have been disrupted by the protest.
* Police arrested 122 protesters on Thursday. There were no arrests on Friday.
* Thousands of protesters in convoy began travelling on Monday, and arrived at Parliament on Tuesday. Although the majority have since left, some protesters have stayed and set up camp.
* They’re protesting Covid-19 mandates, the Bill of Rights, and censorship. Some people also appear to be protesting about the three waters reform and 1080.

A motorcyclist performs a burnout, much to the delight of protesters. Video: Matthew Tso/Stuff



Trenches have been made to redirect the water from the muddy, wet grass. Video: Matthew Tso/Stuff
Real estate on the lawn outside Parliament is at a premium as more people have turned up to join the protest. Matthew Tso/Stuff





Water is being diverted off the sprinkler lines at Parliament onto Molesworth St. Matthew Tso/Stuff


The Independent Police Conduct Authority has received several hundred complaints from anti-vaccine mandate protesters at Parliament.
Read more from our reporting team here:

Former National MP Matt King coming to protest
Former Northland MP Matt King, who lost his seat in 2020, is on his way to Wellington to join the protest.
King has posted several messages in support the protest online, and has said the vaccine is dangerous in months prior.
A spokesperson for the National Party said Matt King was no longer an MP for the National Party.
A range of motivations and the spread of misinformation among the anti-vaccine mandate protesters at Parliament are hampering police efforts to establish meaningful lines of communication with the occupation.
Read more from our reporting team here:

-
We’re in the middle of a relatively prolonged period of calm here at Parliament now. Photo / Jericho Rock-Archer Superintendent Corrie Parnell on the protesters’ use of videos and children:“Police are concerned that people are encouraging children be brought to the protest site to support their efforts.“It is important to note that Police on Parliament grounds continue to take a measured approach.“Images and videos shared online often do not provide the full context of the protest activity and the difficult situation Police staff face.”Batons removed from cops:
Superintendent Corrie Parnell, Wellington District Commander, had this to say on the issue:
“Earlier today several staff were noted to be carrying batons – that was not in line with current approach and staff have now removed this equipment.
“Police continue to explore options to resolve the disruption to local businesses and allow free and safe movement around the city.”
-
Credit: Jericho Rock-Archer Credit: Jericho Rock-Archer -
Credit: Jericho Rock-Archer Protesters are practicing resistance circles on Parliament grounds. Credit: Jericho Rock-Archer. There’s a decent crowd on Parliament grounds currently. Credit: Jericho Rock-Archer
-