Two Christchurch police officers who lost their jobs and their home after refusing to get vaccinated say they would return to the police workforce if the mandates are lifted.
Peter Van't Wout and his wife Ella shared their story on social media which soon took off around the world.
"Last week after 8 years 1 month and 23 days, my time serving as a Police officer in the New Zealand Police came to an end; and I am no longer a Police officer.
"Being served a termination letter for choosing not to comply with the mandate was a day of mixed emotions, but one that both my wife and I had been preparing for. We’ve been made redundant from one of the greatest most rewarding jobs you could ever do; but it’s also one of the most dangerous," he posted.
"So sadly with the Government mandate now in effect, it's been a very difficult and emotional decision, losing not only our jobs we thought would take us to retirement but also losing our house," Van't Wout wrote on Facebook.
But the couple said they aren't just taking a stand for themselves but for others too.
"If you stand for nothing you'll fall for everything. We definitely weren't at peace if we chose to take that vaccine and we stand together and we are making a stand for those people who have been unable to make a stand."
The ex-police officers say they have been supported by other members of the police from across the world from Australia, South Africa and Europe.
"We have been supported by bosses, supported by our own teams our frontline teams."
The couple told The Project they just simply couldn't comply with the vaccine mandate.
"We didn't have any peace with complying with the mandate so we have decided to take this stand and it hasn't been easy."
Van't Wout told The Project he and Ella were forced out of the workforce.
"I don't think we've chosen to leave we have been terminated, we have been forced out of a job we were incredibly passionate about, a job we absolutely loved."
With the ongoing anti-mandate protest in the capital, the couple told The Project their support is with both police and the protesters.
"We support the protesters, we have a right to peaceful protest, we have a right to challenge the mandate,
I don't think they're right. We also back our team blue. We feel for both sides."
Van't Wout doesn't hold any resentment towards the workforce and would return.
"Oh heck yeah no doubt, I love working with the community,
"We wouldn't hesitate to go back," he added.
