New Zealand / Covid 19

Smaller crowds for anti-lockdown protests

15:33 pm on 20 November 2021

Fewer people than at previous events have attended anti-lockdown protests around the country this afternoon.

Brian Tamaki speaking at an earlier protest Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

In Auckland, the War Memorial Museum at the Domain closed for the day because of the demonstration organised by the Freedoms and Rights Coalition.

The chief executive David Gaimster, said mass gatherings are a breach of guidelines and the museum has a health and safety obligation to staff and visitors.

The leader of the Destiny Church, Brian Tamaki, spoke at the Domain protest, despite being previously charged over mass gatherings.

Tamaki has appeared in court twice and his bail conditions include not organising or attending protests in breach of Covid level restrictions.

Police said they will be looking into whether any breaches of alert level restrictions took place today.

Another 200 to 300 people showed at an anti-lockdown protest in New Plymouth today, an RNZ reporter on the scene said.