26 Feb 2022

Protesters at Auckland Domain defy police

10:00 pm on 26 February 2022

The police said a small group of protesters remain at Auckland Domain after marching over the Harbour Bridge earlier today.

Anti-mandate protesters in Auckland.

Some of the anti-mandate protesters gathered in Auckland earlier today. Photo: RNZ

Videos on social media show protesters in Auckland Domain putting up a number of tents.

The Police and Auckland Council have been in talks with protest leaders, who had promised to leave by 9pm.

In a video, one protester claims to have mana whenua status, and that they are occupying a pā site at the Domain.

They expect the police to come and try to evict them.

There are children on the site.

Auckland Council said it has serious concerns the gathering could become a super-spreading event.

It said while it respects the right to peaceful assembly, it is concerned about the health risk.

Protesters have been gathered at Parliament in Wellington for more than two weeks, and sparked similar protests around the country.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs