Farmers gather around New Zealand for Groundswell's 'Mother of All Protests'

Farmers around the country have taken to the streets in their tractors and utes to push back against Government policy, rules and regulations, which they say are attacking the sector.    

Protesters took part in the 'The Mother of All Protests' on Sunday organised by rural lobby group Groundswell, which began at about 1pm.

This has seen a backlog of traffic on Auckland's Harbour Bridge and Queen Street while traffic was also backed up in the Wellington CBD. 

In Auckland, protesters gathered in their cars, utes, tractors and 4WDs with some having signs saying: "Enough is enough. No to Ute tax. No to 3 waters. No to Control."

Protesters could be seen on Queen Street and at the Auckland Domain with tractors and Donald Trump flags.

The demonstration was also attended by Hannah and Brian Tamaki, with videos showing a large congregation of motorcyclists along the protest route.

Farmers gather around New Zealand for Groundswell's 'Mother of All Protests'
Photo credit: Image - Newshub

Groundswell protesters in Christchurch converged near the State Highway 1 bridge near Christchurch Airport. 

Some protesters parked along Memorial Ave, with cars and utes displaying New Zealand flags and signs including "Make Ardern Go Away" and "No Ute Tax".

Farmers gather around New Zealand for Groundswell's 'Mother of All Protests'
Photo credit: Image - Newshub
Farmers gather around New Zealand for Groundswell's 'Mother of All Protests'
Photo credit: Image - Getty Images

Groundswell wasn't the only group protesting on Sunday. 

The global environmental movement Extinction Rebellion had a counter-protest against Groundswell.

They had originally planned to sit in front of Groundswell's tractors on Lambton Quay in Wellington, blocking the protesters' path through the city. 

But photos showed the environmental group blocking the intersection between Lambton Quay and Molesworth St outside Parliament.

Extinction Rebellion said the Government policies Groundswell are disputing are the bare minimum that needs doing to affect climate change. 

"There program for this protests seems to mainly be pushing back against these initial very mild and moderate changes they're being asked to do," spokesperson Sue Body says. 

Groundswell has called on all New Zealanders to join in a protest in February next year if the Government doesn't remove "unworkable" regulations. 

Farmers gather around New Zealand for Groundswell's 'Mother of All Protests'
Photo credit: Image - Newshub
Farmers gather around New Zealand for Groundswell's 'Mother of All Protests'
Photo credit: Image - Newshub

The movement shared its message by a nationwide radio broadcast. 

"We think these regulations are unworkable, unfair and unreasonable and have to cease. The Government must have the wisdom and compassion to hear and see this."

This is the second protest organised by Groundswell, after it ran a similar nationwide protest, the 'Howl of a Protest', in July.