Planned protests in Wellington City
***UPDATED: Protests have ceased and roads have reopened. Buses have resumed their regular routes.***
Wellington Police have advised they will be in and around the city today (Tuesday, 23 August) monitoring The Freedom and Rights Coalition protest and the likely presence of a counter-protest group. As a precaution, additional Police staff have been called in from outside of the Wellington Police District setting up a base in the Parliament buildings.
A detour is in place for Metlink bus services in the Wellington CBD and all road closures will be in place until the conclusion of the protest.
Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell shares that their primary mission today is to maintain law and order, ensuring that the public feels safe and free to move around. Structures will not be permitted to be erected on Parliament grounds and any behaviour deemed unlawful or that disrupts people from going about their lawful business will not be tolerated.
What you need to know:
- Roads in the city area, including the Parliament end of Lambton Quay, lower Molesworth Street, and Kate Sheppard Place have been closed to unauthorised vehicles today.
- Buses that would normally use Lambton Quay and Wills Street will detour along Jervois and Waterloo Quays.
- Bus routes 14, 32X, 22, 81, 84, 744, 745 heading toward Molesworth Steet will travel along Bowen Street and Tinakori Road to avoid the Parliamentary precinct.
- Any concerning behaviour can be reported to Police by calling 105.
Have you seen Graham?
The 77-year-old was last seen by family at the Colonial Knob walkway near Porirua, on ‘The Doctor’ track, around 5:45pm.
He is potentially suffering dementia, and has difficulty hearing.
Graham is around 165cm tall, of slight build, wearing a blue puffer jacket and brown corduroy pants.
Police are in the area searching, but if you have any information that may help, please call 111 and quote event number P060575913.
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Hikoi - North Island
Police have established a Major Operations Centre (MOC) to provide oversight of the Police response to the upcoming hīkoi from Northland to Wellington.
The MOC, based at Police National Headquarters in Wellington, is providing logistical, resource and communication support to all districts along the hīkoi route.
Major Operations Director Superintendent Kelly Ryan says Police have been engaged with hīkoi organisers for many weeks.
“Our discussions with organisers to date have been positive and we expect the hīkoi to be conducted in a peaceful and lawful manner,” she says.
The hīkoi is expected to leave Northland today (Monday 11 November) and travel to Wellington, arriving at Parliament between Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 November.
“We’ve planned for large numbers to join the hīkoi, with disruption likely to some roads, including highways and main streets along the route,” Superintendent Ryan says.
“The MOC will support our frontline, district-based staff with the management of people, vehicles and activities, while also maintaining central oversight.
“We will continue to co-ordinate with iwi leaders and our partners across government to ensure public safety and minimal disruption to people going about their daily routine.
“We’re also well connected with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and local councils to ensure road users have up-to-date information and can plan accordingly.
“The MOC will remain in place while the hīkoi is in Wellington and as participants make their way back home safely.”
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