New Zealand / Covid 19

Barricades being removed at Parliament, most streets to reopen

17:27 pm on 4 March 2022

Police are about to begin removing barricades blocking roads around Parliament - but Wellington's lower Molesworth Street will remain cordoned off for now.

The concrete bollards were still in place this morning outside Parliament, but police say they will soon be gone from most streets. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Access is expected be restored today to Hill and Aitken streets, which are now clear of rubbish and debris in the wake of the three-week occupation by anti-mandate protesters

Metlink said it will need to assess the condition of the bus depot and undertake a deep clean of the area before it becomes operational.

"We hope that will occur by Sunday morning but the timeline is yet to be decided."

A police spokesperson said there were no significant problems in the area overnight, but there will be a "visible" police presence in the central city today and throughout the weekend.

Officers are monitoring a group of people and vehicles moving between Mahanga Bay and Wainuiomata.

Iwi and supporters at Wainuiomata marae have set up a barricade to prevent protesters entering their grounds, but a group of about 100 people are believed to have stayed at private property in the Lower Hutt suburb overnight.

A Covid-19 vaccination centre operates from Wainuiomata marae, and some protesters had tried to enter the grounds after leaving Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

There have been 102 arrests in connection with the anti-mandate protest at Parliament, but police are continuing investigations.