Anti-vaccine mandate protesters have surged at police while trying to break through a police barricade outside Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.
Multiple people were detained by police before one of the organisers urged supporters for calm and said, "they are in for the long haul".
What you need to know:
- There were 204 new community cases in New Zealand on Wednesday
- Location of new community cases: Auckland (135), Waikato (35), Bay of Plenty (11), Northland (8), Wellington (3), Hutt Valley (3), Canterbury (3), Lakes (2), MidCentral (2), Taranaki (1) and Nelson Marlborough (1).
- There are 16 people in hospital: Seven in Middlemore, four are in North Shore, two in Auckland City, two in Rotorua, one in Bay of Plenty and one in Christchurch.
- We have started a live stream where you can watch the protest. The audio is on so please be advised there could be some language that could offend.
- Protesters at one point surged towards police at the front of Parliament, with three people detained in the aftermath.
These live updates are now closed.
6:40pm - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed the Government would "look to remove" COVID-19 vaccine mandates when "they're not needed".
Her comments came after the National Party called for the Government to outline its end date for vaccine mandates.
Leader Christopher Luxon says he completely disagrees with the abusive behaviour of anti-vaccine protests at Parliament but wants a clear timeline with criteria for when the country steps out of using mandates.
5:55pm - Tonight's Newshub Live at 6 will start with a report from Imogen Wells breaking down all the protest action today.
Tune in on Three or live on the Newshub website from 6pm.
5:30pm - Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell says police have arrested three people on the grounds of Parliament after they attempted to breach the police line.
"This is extremely disappointing as until this occurred, the activity of most of those present has been peaceful for the majority of the day," she said.
"Police will maintain a presence at Parliament tonight and will continue to monitor activity recognising that people had a right to peaceful protest.
"Police remind the public that there will continue to be some disruption to traffic flows in central Wellington, and motorists should allow extra time as delays are likely this evening and tomorrow (Thursday) morning. For the most part, traffic around the city is largely free-flowing.
"A small part of Molesworth Street remains impassable to through traffic and the area around Parliament, including the northern end of Lambton Quay and lower Bowen Street, should be avoided and alternate routes sought.
"Anyone with any specific concerns in relation to the protest activity should contact Police via 105."
5:20pm - Police were surged at Parliament steps as an anti-mandate protest event took place in Wellington today.
The day featured guest speakers and music blasting - including the National Anthem and Kiwi favourites such as 'Poi E' and 'Slice of Heaven'.
However, things took a turn when protesters surged forward to make their way through a police barricade to the steps of Parliament just after 3pm. At least two protesters were detained in the aftermath.
Watch some of the main incidents from today's protest here.
4:35pm - In case you missed it earlier, here are some of the locations of interest announced on Wednesday:
- First Place Fitness Te Rapa Hamilton - Wednesday, February 2 between 5:15pm and 7pm
- Flight NZ0566 Christchurch to Auckland - Sunday, January 30 between 6pm and 7:25pm
- Clock Tower Bakery & Coffee Shop Petone - Saturday, February 5 between 10:30am and 11:30am
4:10pm - There are now far fewer police officers at the barricade at the front of Parliament. Earlier, around 3pm, officers were standing side-by-side with no gaps in between them. Now, there is at least a metre between each officer.
4pm - The 2022 WOMAD festival and all live shows at the Auckland Arts Festival have been cancelled amid the Omicron outbreak and associated restrictions.
Organisers of the events say it is "deeply saddening" to have to cancel them.
Refunds are being made available to customers who have bought tickets to any of the cancelled shows, although WOMAD ticketholders can keep them and use them for next year's festival if they wish.
3:48pm - Protesters are remaining calm as music continues to be played. Here is a tweet showing the moment protesters tried to surge through police.
3:38pm - A large police presence has returned outside Parliament. Just before 3pm there were around 30 police officers, now it has stretched out to over 100 guarding the steps and grounds.
3:35pm - We have started a live stream where you can watch the protest. The audio is on so please be advised there could be some language that could offend.
3:30pm - Protesters seem to be calming down as music starts to be played again with Dave Dobbyn's Slice of Heaven currently being played.
3:24pm - Some protesters have turned to shouting at the media covering the event. Some can be heard saying: "You should be ashamed of yourselves" and "you're are a disgrace" while another says: "You've got blood on your hands".
3:22pm - The Protesters have now started playing the national anthem.
3:20pm - Someone speaking over the loudspeaker is urging and a peacful protest and for calm and saying "they are in for the long haul".
Police have multiple people in handcuffs who were trying to breach the fence. Someone over the loud speaking is urging protesters to move back.
3:15pm - Protesters are now trying to surge forward and make their way to the steps of Parliament. Police have gathered and are forcing them back.
The crowd is chanting "let them through".
3:13pm - Music continues to be played around Parliament lawn's as the police presence has died down. There are still around 30 officers blocking the steps to Parliament.
2:52pm - Queensland has recorded a record day of COVID-19 deaths with 24 people dying in the past 24 hours.
Of the 24 deaths, 16 were linked to aged care facilities. Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the age of the people who died were between 50 and 100, with many of those having underlying health conditions.
"Twenty-four deaths in 24 hours, this is a really hard day for the families and loved ones of these individuals," D'Ath said.
Queensland Health announced 6,902 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, which is an increase from Tuesday's 5,178 infections.
Public hospitalisations have come down from 663 to 628, with 44 people in ICU, 22 of whom are on ventilators.
2:47pm - In Victoria, they have recorded 9,908 new COVID-19 cases and 21 new coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours.
Victoria Health has announced that 542 people in hospital, 71 in ICU and 27 people are on a ventilator.
There are currently 57,022 active cases in Victoria.
Hospitalisations have continued to fall with Wednesday’s figures showing there were 542 in hospitals with the virus, the lowest number in the state since the 516 recorded on January 4.
2:42pm - Over in Australia, New South Wales has announced 10,312 new COVID-19 cases and 20 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours.
The new cases are the highest daily total since Friday, when 10,698 cases were recorded. Since Friday, daily cases have remained below 10,000.
NSW Health said that there are 1,906 people in the hsopital and 132 in ICU.
Hospitalisation numbers have dropped in the last 24 hours, when 2068 patients were in care, while ICU numbers remain steady, with 132 in ICU on Tuesday.
2:35pm - Here is an update on the protest outside of Parliament. There are still a lot of protesters on Parliament's lawn where music is playing and lots of singing, dancing.
2:32pm - The Ministry of Health has announced one new 'high risk' location of interest in Hamilton.
The location is:
- First Place Fitness Te Rapa Hamilton - Wednesday, 2 February from 5:15pm to 7pm
The ministry asks anyone at First Place fitness during the exposure time to "self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health".
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
2:29pm - Ardern has told reporters that the protesters have the right to protest but her focus is on keeping New Zealanders safe.
"Of course New Zealanders have the right to protest but New Zealanders also have the right to be vaccinated and the right to be kept as safe as possible in a pandemic and that’s exactly what we’re focussed on and what the vast majority of New Zealanders are doing," Ardern said.
When asked when COVID-19 mandates will end, she said they will keep using them while "they are providing safety for the community".
"We only want to use things like restrictions and passes and mandates for so long as they are providing safety for the community," she said.
"At the moment, we know that vaccines are making a difference - even with this current Omicron wave - and that’s why we still have those requirements in place.
"But when they’re not needed, of course, you’d look to remove them."
1:55pm - In Speaker Trevor Mallard's preview of events in the House today, he briefly touches on the protest at Parliament.
After listing off today's Parliamentary business, which includes a motion congratulating the Queen for 70 years on the throne and then oral questions, he talks about the protesters.
"Meanwhile, there's a bit of entertainment on the front lawn as well."
A reminder: Jacinda Ardern and Christopher Luxon will face off for the first time in Parliament this year. You can watch that here.
1:50pm - A top medical director says an incident where a group of returnees were refused exit from a managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) hotel in because COVID tests weren't returned in time is due to the mounting pressure on labs he's been warning about for weeks.
The returnees were due to leave Rydges Rotorua on Wednesday and Newshub understands many were left in tears after being informed they couldn't exit when scheduled.
Under current MIQ rules, returnees must spend at least 10 days in a Government-approved hotel and receive COVID-19 tests on arrival, day three, day five or six and day eight or nine. The day eight or nine tests are the swabs used to determine if the returnee is able to leave the MIQ facility after 10 days.
Returnee Henry Dillon, who hasn't seen his family for two years, says Defence Force personnel were up all night breaking the news to fellow returnees.
"They've told me that they've had people that have just broken down and cried," Dillon told AM.
He said he struggled to sleep after being told he couldn't leave on time.
"I know there are a lot of really frustrated people here... it's very, very tense."
1:40pm - While the protest continues outside on the lawns of Parliament, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and National leader Christopher Luxon will face-off inside Parliament for the first time in 2022.
The livestream is expected to start at 2pm and you will be able to watch it here.
1:33pm - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said the protesters outside Parliament have the right to be there.
Ardern told Newstalk ZB on Wednesday that while she is concerned about misinformation running through the protest group their right to be there is "a part of New Zealand".
"We should all be concerned about misinformation. Not just COVID and vaccines but generally," she said.
"There is a core here where actually they think that they're trying to save everyone else."
Ardern said there was a range of different views from protesters gathered on the lawns of Parliament.
The gathering is billed as anti-vaccine mandates but is a "range of perspectives", including those who were against vaccines entirely.
"I've seen a range of protests over my time and this is certainly not large in scale. And not representative of the vast majority of New Zealanders," she told Newstalk ZB.
"It is very hard to have a conversation about facts when they question everything. But Remember – it's a small group – keep it in perspective.
"The only reason they can move around is because majority of people are getting vaccinated."
Ardern said it's a police matter to move protesters off the lawns of Parliament, not a Government decision.
1:19pm - As the protest continues outside Parliament, police have commented on why there is an increased presence outside the Beehive.
Police said it was because of the ongoing protest activity and overnight occupation on the lawns in front of Parliament Buildings.
"Police have engaged with protest leaders and encouraged them to follow the advice of the Speaker of the House last night, who provided guidelines about protest activity in the grounds of Parliament," Wellington District Commander, Superintendent Corrie Parnell said.
"Police are asking protesters to dismantle any structures that have been erected on the grounds, such as tents and marquees.
"Police will continue to have a significant presence at Parliament today [Wednesday] and will deal with incidents as they arise, recognising individuals’ lawful right to peaceful protest."
1:09pm - Here are today's regional updates from the Ministry of Health:
We are reporting new community cases in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, MidCentral, Wellington, Nelson Marlborough, and Canterbury.
Northland
Today we’re reporting eight new cases in Northland.
Five of these are in Kerikeri and three are in Whangārei.
All eight remain under investigation to determine any possible links to previously confirmed cases.
Auckland
There are 135 cases to report in Auckland today.
Health and welfare providers are now supporting 3,177 people in the region to isolate at home, including 1,218 cases.
Waikato
There are 35 new cases to report in Waikato today.
Of these, 21 are linked to previous cases and 14 are under investigation.
Twenty-two are in Hamilton, five in Cambridge, two in Ōhaupō, one in Taupiri, and one in Morrinsville. The locations of the remaining four are currently being confirmed.
Lakes
There are two new cases to report in the Lakes DHB area today – one of which is in Rotorua and one in Taupō.
Both these cases have links to previously reported cases.
Bay of Plenty
Today we are reporting 11 new cases in the region – all are either in Tauranga or the wider Western Bay of Plenty.
Eight of these cases are linked to previously reported cases, with the remaining three still under investigation.
Taranaki
There’s one new case to report in New Plymouth. Public health staff are continuing to investigate links to existing cases.
MidCentral
Today there are two new cases to report in Palmerston North.
These cases are both are household contacts of existing cases.
Wellington region
There are six new cases in the Wellington region today. Three are in Porirua and public health staff are investigating any potential links to previously confirmed cases.
There are also three cases to report in Hutt Valley – these are household contacts of existing cases.
Nelson-Marlborough
There’s one new case in Nelson-Marlborough today. Today’s case is linked to a previously reported case.
Canterbury
Today we are officially reporting three new cases in the region, however the third had registered a former Christchurch address but currently lives in Auckland and is being supported by public health staff there
The other two cases are based in Christchurch.
Both cases are still being investigated for links to previous cases.
1:07pm - Here is the latest data from the Ministry of Health on the outbreak and vaccination campaign:
COVID-19 vaccine update
- Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 4,048,992 first doses (96%); 3,975,822 second doses (94%); 1,666,710 booster doses (53%)
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 812 first doses; 1,772 second doses; 2,209 paediatric doses; 60,537 booster doses.
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 514,941 first doses (90%); 490,069 second doses (86%).
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 278,404 first doses (97%); 271,043 second doses (95%).
- Paediatric vaccines administered to date (percentage of 5-11-year-olds): 202,783 first doses (43%)
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 5-11): 27,819 (first doses (24%)
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 5-11): 16,278 first doses (33%)
Vaccination rates for all DHBs (percentage of eligible people aged 12 +)
- Northland DHB: First doses (89.9%); second doses (87%)
- Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (97%); second doses (96%)
- Waikato DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (93%)
- Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (93%)
- Lakes DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (91%)
- MidCentral DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (95%)
- Tairāwhiti DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (89.9%)
- Whanganui DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (89.7%)
- Hawke’s Bay: First doses (97%); second doses (94%)
- Taranaki DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (93%)
- Wairarapa DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (95%)
- Capital and Coast DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (97%)
- Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
- Nelson Marlborough DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
- West Coast DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (91%)
- Canterbury DHB: First doses (99%); second doses (98%)
- South Canterbury DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (94%)
- Southern DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (96%)
Hospitalisations
- Cases in hospital: 16; North Shore: 4; Middlemore: 7; Auckland: 2; Bay of Plenty: 1; Rotorua: 2; Christchurch: 1
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 59
- Cases in ICU or HDU): 0
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (1 case / 7.7%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (1 cases / 7.7%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (9 cases 69.2%); Unknown (2 cases/ 15.4%)
Cases
- Seven day rolling average of community cases: 194
- Seven day rolling average of border cases: 38
- Number of new community cases: 204
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 46
- Location of new community cases: Northland (8), Auckland (135), Waikato (35), Lakes (2), Bay of Plenty (11),Taranaki (1), MidCentral (2) Wellington (3), Hutt Valley (3), Nelson Marlborough (1), Canterbury (3)
- Number of community cases (total): 13,671 (in current community outbreaks)
- Cases epidemiologically linked (total): 9875
- Number of active cases (total): 2,209 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 18,126
Contacts
- Number of active contacts being managed (total): 5,529
- Percentage who has received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 75%
- Percentage who has returned at least one result: 68%
Tests
- Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 15,972
- Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 18,083
- Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 6,962
Wastewater
- No unusual detections to report.
NZ COVID Tracer
- Poster scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday: 1,542,083
- Manual diary entries in the 24 hours to midday: 43,003
My Vaccine Pass
- Total issued to date: 5,082,686
- Total yesterday: 7,554
1:05pm - The ministry said on Wednesday they are starting a national week of action called ‘The Big Boost’ where they’re making it as easy as possible to get your booster, with pop-up vaccination centres and extended opening hours.
A booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine provides a higher level of protection against severe disease or hospitalisation from the Omicron variant than the two-dose course. Being fully vaccinated with two shots provides great protection against Delta, but boosters are the best way to fight Omicron.
If you are 18 years or older and had your second vaccination at least three months ago, get your booster as soon as you can.
To find a centre near you by visiting BookMyVaccine.nz or calling the Covid Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 for a whānau booking.
The ministry said that all DHBs have now fully vaccinated 90% of their Pacific communities, with Whanganui reaching the milestone yesterday.
"Advocates, church groups, health providers and countless other entities across the motu have led the way in ensuring that our Pacific populations have some of the highest vaccination rates in the country," the ministry said.
"Anyone with any cold or flu symptoms that could be COVID-19 is asked to get a test and isolate at home until a negative result is returned.
"The most common early symptoms of the Omicron variant are a sore or scratchy throat, and a runny nose. Even if you develop a small sniffle, please get a test."
1:03pm - The Ministry of Health has announced 204 new COVID-19 cases with 16 people in hospital and one in ICU on Wednesday.
Of the new community cases, 135 in Auckland, 35 in Waikato, 11 in Bay of Plenty, eight in Northland, three in Wellington, three in Canterbury, three in Hutt Valley, two in Lakes, two in MidCentral and one in Nelson Marlborough.
The ministry announced there are 16 people in hospital with none in ICU or HDU.
Of the 16 people in hospital: Seven in Middlemore, four are in North Shore, two in Auckland City, two in Rotorua, one in Bay of Plenty and one in Christchurch.
There are 46 new COVID cases recorded at the border in Managed Isolation and Quarantine.
12:45pm - As usual, the Ministry of Health will release its daily statement with the latest updates on the COVID-19 outbreak at around 1pm.
Stay tuned, as we will publish the newest developments live as soon as the statement is available.
12:38pm - The protest is still ongoing outside Parliament on Wednesday. There is still a large police presence with protesters playing music and sitting or standing in front of the officers.
12:23pm - The Ministry of Health has announced three new 'high risk' locations of interest.
The locations are:
- Air New Zealand Flight NZ0566 Christchurch to Auckland - Sunday, 30 January 6pm to 7:25pm
- Bus 32 Jordan Road Mangere to Otahuhu Station - Thursday, 27 January from 1:15pm to 1:40pm
- Jacks Coffee Lounge Hillcrest Hamilton - Sunday, 6 February from 9:50am to 10:50am
The ministry said if you were on the Air NZ flight you are a close contact if you were seated in rows 22,23,24,25 or 26. They also said only indoor dining customers at the exposure time at Jacks Coffee are considered close contacts.
If you fit either of those two criteria or were on Bus 32, the ministry asks you to "self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health".
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
11:43am - Music is starting to blear out around Parliament. Supporters have started playing the song "We Are Family" and "Poi E" to which people are singing along.
11:40am - The National Library of New Zealand in Wellington on Molesworth Street near Parliament has advised people they are temporarily closed.
11:32am - One of the speakers, talking to the protests said he will be walking up Parliament's steps at 3pm.
"For those that want to make a stand, we can all get arrested."
11:25am - a couple of protesters are speaking through a megaphone to their supporters. There is still a large police presence with over 100 officers on the Parliament grounds.
11:13am - In other news, the Ministry of Health has announced one new 'high risk' location of interest in Wellington.
The location is:
- Clock Tower Bakery & Coffee Shop Petone - Saturday, 5 February from 10:30am to 11:30am
The ministry asks anyone at the coffee shop during the exposure time to "self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health".
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
11:06am - One person can be seen writing in chalk with a message to Jacinda Ardern.
"Dear Jacinda vaccination rates are not an indication of support". "People were forced".
11am - Protesters can be heard shouting: "Stand down Jacinda" and "you've been put on notice" while other protesters are holding signs that say, "Corrupt Government".
10:55am - It has quieted down outside Parliament as one person continues to speak through a megaphone while the standoff continues between protesters and police.
10:45am - More police descend on Parliament as the number of officers grows. Cars and trucks are still blocking the roads around Parliament.
10:34am - The police presence outside parliament continues to grow. There are now about 100 police officers on Parliament grounds.
10:28am - Metlink has advised Wellington bus users there will be disruptions to services due to the protest activity around Parliament.
"Please be aware of disruption to the network and road traffic on Wednesday morning, February 9, due to protest action," Metlink said.
"Services are experiencing delays and services travelling via Molesworth Street are detoured.
"If you intend to travel today, please check the latest information via the Metlink website, app or call our call centre on 0800 801 700. This is an evolving situation which will be closely monitored. We will update you with any changes, as soon as we are aware."
10:25am - Police are facing calls of "you should be ashamed" and "where is your conscience" while another person is yelling "Stand down Mr. Speaker". Someone is shouting: "shame on you".
Protesters are demanding politicians face them on the forecourt and should be arrested.
10:21am - Protesters can be heard singing as the number of police blocking Parliament has grown to around 50.
10:18am - Here is a photo showing a face-off between a protester and police.
10:16am - Scenes at Parliament are starting to become slightly more aggressive with protesters shouting abuse at police.
This has seen dozens of police face off with anti-mandate protesters outside Parliament.
People can be heard shouting and swearing at police while someone is talking through a mega-phone.
10:09am - Here are some more photo's of the police presence outside Parliament on Wednesday.
10:04am - A large police presence has been seen blocking the steps of Parliament on Wednesday morning. Protesters can be seen waving flags and moving closer to the steps of Parliament. This has seen around 40 police staff complete a barrier around the front of the Beehive.
9:37am - Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard has ordered anti-mandate protesters to remove their tents or face trespass from Parliament grounds.
Cars were abandoned as thousands of people made their way to the Beehive in a bid to end vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday.
The notice orders protesters to "disperse from the grounds in an orderly manner".
It also warns against mounting Parliament's main steps or interfering with people trying to enter or exit.
The notice also says no tents may be erected and reminded protesters Parliament's grounds are alcohol and smoke free.
While the protesters are demanding answers from the Government, the Prime Minister isn't interested in engaging with them.
"I know today [Tuesday] at 1pm, 31,000 people had gone out and been vaccinated, and so I think it would be wrong to, in any way, characterise what we've seen outside as a representation of the majority," she said.
9:27am - A Porirua college has announced that a student has tested positive for COVID-19.
Mana College principal John Murdoch shared the news in a community update sent out by the school on Tuesday afternoon.
The school said they would still open on Wednesday, and students should still attend, but Murdoch called on any families with unvaccinated children to get them vaccinated against the virus.
"We have worked with Ministry of Health and education officials, and have identified the close contacts. These people are isolating in line with official advice," he said.
Read the full story here.
9:19am - The Ministry of Health has announced one new 'high risk' location of interest in Wellington.
The location is:
- Chow Te Aro Wellington - Saturday, 5 February from 12:34pm to 1:30pm
The ministry asks anyone at the restaurant to "self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health".
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
9:14am - Anti-vaccine mandate protesters that brought downtown Wellington to a standstill on Tuesday have written chilling messages outside Parliament.
A message written in chalk in front of convoy protesters camping site said 'hang em' high'.
Protesters woke to a second day outside the Beehive, with many vowing to camp out on Parliament's lawns for the rest of the week.
9:08am - Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak for Wednesday, February 9.
