Protesters unfurled a banner across SH1 in central Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman
Climate protesters caused traffic disruption in central Wellington, hanging a banner across southbound lanes of State Highway 1 near Bowen Street.
Southbound traffic was reduced to one lane on Thursday morning and police and contracters were at the scene.
A Restore Passenger Rail protester was harnessed to the gantry above the urban motorway.
A second blocked access by sitting on the trapdoor of the maintenance accessway to the structure.
Police used an electric grinder to cut the padlocked hatch the second protester had positioned himself above.
Police speaking with a protester harnessed to the side of a gantry on Wellington's urban motorway. Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman
A protester is handcuffed and dragged from the gantry above Wellington's urban motorway. Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman
A cherry picker was used to remove the banner from the gantry, and police had removed both protesters by about 8.30am.
All southbound lanes were reopened, though Waka Kotahi said significant traffic congestion remained and drivers could expect delays until the queued traffic cleared.
It was the group's second protest in the capital this week. Three people were arrested on Tuesday after protesters glued themselves on to the road on State Highway 1 in Kilbirnie.
A protest banner across SH1 in central Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman