Around 2000 people joined a protest organised by Brian Tamaki's Freedoms and Rights Coalition on Thursday. Photo: Supplied
Police won't comment on whether the more stringent security measures put in place during Thursday's peaceful protest in the capital are the new norm for policing such demonstrations.
Around 2000 people joined a protest organised by Brian Tamaki's Freedoms and Rights Coalition yesterday.
There was a large police presence on Parliament grounds and nearby roads were blocked off to traffic.
Police said they had taken a number of lessons from last year's anti-mandate occupation and were pleased the protesters heeded their warnings.
But Sanjana Hattotuwa from the Disinformation Project said Thursday's protest was a still a platform for harmful anti-trans and anti-immigration rhetoric.
A small number of people online were pushing for another occupation, he said.
"Folks were saying, where's the occupation? They were asking where can they pitch the tents? Then they were disappointed that there wasn't any movement in that regard, even after the rally ended."
Police said they were talking with a group planning a protest on Saturday against co-governance but would not say whether road closures and a fenced-off Parliament were the new norm for policing such events.
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Owner of the nearby Backbencher Pub, Alister Boyce, said the restrictions were over the top and bad for business.
"I'm pretty disappointed really. I think it was an overreaction and an overreach from the state and New Zealand police."
Boyce said people working from home to avoid the disruption meant an even bigger drop in customer numbers.
Over on a quiet Lambton Quay, retailers also reported a dip in sales but were pleased there was no violence.
Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said, at this stage, Saturday's protest was not expected to cause any major disruption.
"I think generally that we're not expecting huge numbers of people there," he said.
"There is some talk about a counter-protest. So we're obviously working with the police and we'll be giving them any reasonable assistance that they need."
MacLean said the council would continue to follow advice from police regarding the protest.