A group of "freedom" protesters have gathered outside a Christchurch school the Prime Minister is visiting on Wednesday.
About 50 protesters are standing out the front of Te Aratai College in the Christchurch suburb of Linwood. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was speaking at the school, which only opened in May.
A Newshub reporter at the scene said it's not clear exactly what the protesters are rallying against, with a mishmash of messages opposing media, police and the Government's Three Waters reform programme. The United Nations also appears to have got a mention.
One protesters said on a livestream that wherever the Prime Minister went, protesters also needed to have a presence.
The protest has been organised by the Freedom and Rights Coalition, which advertised on Telegram earlier this week that Ardern would be at the school. The group, which has previously held anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine mandate protesters, called the rally an "emergency protest".
The Prime Minister, who avoided the protesters by entering through a back entrance, was swamped by students at the school after speaking. She stopped for a number of selfies.
Police are present at the college and told Newshub no significant issues have been reported.
"The role of Police is to ensure safety and monitor the gathering, while recognising the lawful right to protest.
"Police will respond appropriately to any issues regarding disorder or public safety that may arise."
