A day after one of the most violent days in the country's history, tons of rubbish were being removed at the start of a costly restoration project in the grounds of Parliament.
Rubbish left at Parliament grounds on 3 March, 2022, following a three-week occupation by anti-mandate and other protesters. Photo: RNZ
A major investigation has been launched into events yesterday, including reviewing video footage.
Residents welcomed a relative return to normalcy in their city with Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers saying they have received "phenomenal" support today.
Forty police officers were injured yesterday, although the eight admitted to hospital have now been released. So far 100 people have been arrested.
Some of the protesters spread out to different parts of the capital, including Red Rocks on Wellington's southern coast.
Meanwhile, the rubbish tip that was left behind in the grounds of Parliament is being cleared with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern among those to inspect the damage today.
Here's a selection of photos taken by RNZ staff as Wellington people began to reclaim their city.
A pile of tents and signs is among the rubbish to be taken away. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Tents and rubbish litter Parliament grounds after clashes between police and protesters yesterday. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
A digger at work in the grounds of Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Photo: RNZ
Photo: RNZ
Photo: RNZ
A wall underneath the Beehive bears plenty of messages from the protesters. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Rubbish surrounds the Parliament playground which was set ablaze by protesters yesterday. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Water blasting removes some graffiti left on Parliament grounds by anti-mandate protesters. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern came out for a look at what was happening with the cleanup. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
She also spoke to some police officers who were out in force across the city again today. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Rubbish and signs left at Parliament grounds are seen on 3 March, 2022, in the aftermath of the three-week occupation by protesters. Photo: RNZ
The clean-up around Parliament gets underway on 3 March, 2022, a day after protesters were expelled from Parliament grounds. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Fire crews assessing the damage after the slide at Parliament grounds was lit on fire on 3 March. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
A heavy police presence remained in place at Parliament grounds on the morning of 3 March, 2022. Photo: RNZ
Photo: RNZ
Protesters on Boulcott Street in central Wellington on 3 March, 2022. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Police tape is seen around Parliament grounds. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon