While attention is focused on the protest at Parliament grounds, Covid-19 vaccinators have been busy delivering booster shots and inoculating under 12 year olds.
Taranaki vaccination rollout boss Bevan Clayton-Smith says there is a steady stream of people coming in to get vaccinated. (File image) Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
In Taranaki, 47,981 people have now had a booster - 65.6 percent of those eligible - while 5098 children have had their first dose - 40 percent of the eligible population.
Nationally, about 68.2 percent of those eligible have had a booster.
And more than 232,276 tamariki aged 5 - 11 have had their first shot - 48.8 percent of those who qualify.
Taranaki vaccination rollout boss Bevan Clayton-Smith said there was a steady stream of people coming in to get vaccinated.
"We are seeing week-on-week percentage increases from the previous week on trend with other DHBs and the national averages.
"We're seeing people wanting to get a booster to get protected. We're seeing families wanting to get their children protected through their first dose and we're starting to see some get their second dose now. So, we've got steady progression of uptake."
Clayton-Smith said the fact that the vaccination rate for tamariki in Taranaki trailed the national rate was not unexpected because of the rural nature of the province.
"The way we projected the way this was going to rollout was that the majority would've got it before school started and then there'll be those taking time to evaluate ... what the vaccination means for their children and will then act on that."
Clayton-Smith said the record number of Covid-19 cases appearing in Taranaki - 26 yesterday alone - was having more of an influence on vaccination decisions than any messages emanating from the protest at Parliament.
Ngāti Ruanui kaiwhakahaere Rachel Rae said vaccinators at its healthcare arm were busy.
Ngāti Ruanui kaiwhakahaere Rachel Rae at a Covid-19 testing site last year. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
"I know last Wednesday was really busy and I don't know why but it was extremely busy. We had nearly 40 through in an hour and a half," Rae said.
"Some of them were firsts, a couple of seconds and a lot of boosters."
But Rae did think the protest was having some impact.
"I would say yes slightly. The ones that feel [they don't like] the mandates because at the moment it's not mandated to get boosted and [if] they have a vaccine pass, [they] will probably not get vaccinated with a booster.
"However, I do think there's a lot of whānau that are still worried about protecting their own whānau that they are still getting boosted."
People spoken to by RNZ in New Plymouth were split on the booster.
Travis saw no problem with getting it.
"Obviously, as we go through life, we've had shots for polio, tetanus and everything else, so I just think that naturally this is the one we all have to get now so I'm happy to get it."
Double-vaccinated Damon was not so keen.
"To be honest, I'm quite hesitant. I'm not anti-vaccination, but I'm most certainly anti-mandate. So no, I am quite seriously considering refusing it and letting the cards fall where they may."
Wendy has had all her shots.
"In my job, because we are in close contact with people, I automatically did it because I felt it was my moral obligation."
Hospitality worker Jolene was sitting on the fence.
"I'm not rushing out to get it but I probably will, yeah."
Fully-vaccinated Tony was just over it all.
"I think we should get rid of the vaccine passes, get rid of the masks, open the borders and lets go for it."
The double vaccinated rate for the general population in Taranaki is 93 percent.
For Māori, it is 86 percent, while 100 percent of the region's eligible Pasifika population has had two shots.