Police say 'high probability' protest could continue for days, weeks after roads cleared

Monday, 14 February 2022

A Wellington public bus just about fits through a bus lane surrounded by protesters' vehicles.

What you need to know:

Hundreds of protesters remain on Parliament’s lawn and blocking nearby streets. They were not deterred by bad weather over the weekend.
Tuesday is the eighth day of the protest. This week, police have focused on unblocking roads rather than stopping the protest.
Few protesters have moved their vehicles in response to the police’s offer of free parking at Sky Stadium.
On Monday, police said the number of children at the protest was a real concern.

Police say there is a “high probability” protesters could remain at Parliament for days or weeks after central Wellington streets have been unblocked.

The key goal for police remains to clear the surrounding streets to allow free movement for the public.

Once this happens, it’s likely the protest could continue at Parliament for days, if not weeks, Wellington district commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said on Monday night.

In a statement on Sunday, police referred to the protests as “a lawful demonstration at Parliament” sparking speculation police had received legal advice that it could not evict the crowd, which has been trespassed.

Vehicles continue to block central Wellington streets a week after the convoy first arrived at Parliament.

A copy of the notice provided to vehicle owners by police.

* Parliament protesters ignore offer of free parking at Sky Stadium

* Police say more force on Wellington streets as protest enters second week

Corrie Parnell, Wellington district commander, says traffic disruptions are likely to be minimal.

Police declined to comment, and a spokesman said all legal advice was privileged.

Protesters at Parliament are showing no sign of slowing down.

“So we wouldn't comment on what we may or may not have received in that respect,” a spokesman said.

Notices were issued to vehicle owners on Monday, offering them free undercover parking at Sky Stadium.

Notices were issued by police officers to vehicle owners on Tuesday, telling them they were eligible for free undercover parking at Sky Stadium.

“It is close to Parliament. Bring this poster with your vehicle. The parking is available from 6.30pm on Monday,” the notice said.

A mass tow operation is still an option, but not the preferred one, District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said.

By 7.30pm, it appeared very few had taken up the offer.

The occupation of protesters at Victoria University of Wellington’s law school has resulted in criticism of authorities by the students’ association.

One protester said they had received the offer of free parking but was wary it could be a lie – he was worried his car could end up getting impounded if he moved it.

Parnell said some positive lines of communication had taken place on Monday with “key influences” of the various factions of the protest, after he urged them on Sunday to engage with police.

Despite this, there are still factions in the group, that Parnell described as “leaderless,” with different agendas.

“I’m very conscious of ongoing resistance there,” he said.

To date, no vehicles have been towed. Discussions remain ongoing with tow truck operators.

The use of Defence Force vehicles that have the capability to assist with a mass tow operation also remained an option, Parnell said.

However, the practicalities of the complex task have to be considered and that was not his preferred option, he said.

“You’ll appreciate the magnitude of that, even with 100 vehicles, that's a significant operation.”

Parnell warned Wellingtonians to expect continued disruption on Tuesday and acknowledged many residents have had “a gutsful” of the disruption.

Yesterday, there was higher visibility of police staff on the ground, as well as Māori wardens, he said.

Sky Stadium chief executive Shane Harmon said police had agreed to cover any costs of the parking, including any minimal security and cleaning costs. It’s unknown how much this might be.

During the week, the carpark is available for commuter parking at $15 a day Monday-Friday, and $70 for a weekly ticket.

Harmon said he could not imagine more than 100 vehicles would take up the offer. With that math, police could be paying as much as $1500 a day to house vehicles there.

Meanwhile, the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association sharply criticised authorities for failing to stop the “dangerous and unwelcome gridlock” which had resulted in tents and vehicles occupying the grounds of the university’s law school opposite Parliament.

The association’s president, Ralph Zambrano, said students had faced slurs, other verbal harassment, and physical intimidation.