Protesters crowded together in Auckland's CBD over the ongoing war in Israel, with several people calling for the release of hostages taken by Hamas.
The protest took place in Aotea Square on Sunday afternoon, where a sea of blue and white flags could be seen in the hands of hundreds of Kiwis.
Red love-heart balloons could be seen dotted throughout the crowd which included a range of adults, teenagers and young children.
Expressions of frustration, sadness and pain were just some of the emotions seen on the faces of protesters.
One man who spoke with Newshub said he had moved from Israel to New Zealand eight years ago, leaving most of his family behind.
He described the events between Israel and Palestine over the past few weeks as "pure evil".
"My mother, my brother, my sister, nieces, nephews," he listed. "We think life for us will never be the same after we saw the atrocities of October 7. We will never stop grieving and sorrowing for the victims."
It comes after Hamas militants killed over 1400 people during the events of October 7, including entire families in their homes and at least 260 people attending an outdoor music festival near the Gaza-Israel border.
Over 230 people, including women, children and elderly people, were taken hostage and dragged into the Gaza Strip where they remain captive.
"We remain horrified for the fate of over 200 hostages who are held by these terrorists," he said.
He said he attended the protest to "show support for Israel" and believes the New Zealand public "might not be conscious of the gravity of the crimes that were committed and the plight that Israel is in".
"The evil that we saw on October 7 must not be allowed to continue," he stressed.
He said he has one message for Palestinians living in New Zealand.
"The Israelis and the Jewish people have nothing against the Palestinians," he assured. "We have only ever sought to live with the Palestinians in peace - that has not changed."
It follows protests on Saturday from thousands of New Zealanders who took to the streets calling on our Government to demand a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Crowds chanted "free, free Palestine!" with signs reading "Israel stop your apartheid" scattered throughout.
"We demand an end to genocide! We demand a ceasefire!" said one protest leader.
The nationwide marches were organised by Justice for Palestine.
"We're here to call upon our Government and the international community to act," said Samira Archer Zaiton from Justice for Palestine.
In response, the New Zealand Government says it supports the right of Israel to defend itself against Hamas' attacks, but Israel must abide by international law to prioritise the protection of civilians.
