Anti-mandate agitators are chanting "mandates gone by 1st of March" and "freedom" as a protest - including a march across Auckland's Harbour Bridge - gets under way. 

People gathered on Auckland's North Shore and at Victoria Park in the city ahead of a protest event which will potentially cause traffic chaos for motorists. 

The march towards the bridge started just before 11.30am. A Herald reporter on the scene estimates the crowd of people as numbering in the thousands. 

The harbour bridge is closed southbound according to a motorist heading over the bridge going north. 

Protesters walk onto the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Photo / Brett Phibbs 

The protest convoy and marchers made their way through Onepoto Domain, with a woman yelling through a loudspeaker: "Everybody say, Freedom". 

When the leaders of the march reached Onewa Rd, near the lanes heading towards the Auckland Harbour Bridge, they slowed down the pace of the march, saying "this is not a power walk", and that they intended to enjoy the day. 

They then walked up a motorway onramp. 

A speaker said the group was there to "make a stand". 

"We're making a stand for people who have lost their jobs. It's time for us to make a stand in unity." 

The protest march gets underway. Photo / Brett Phibbs 

They then shouted: "What do we want?" 

"Freedom." 

"When do we want it?" 

"Now!" 

"Make some noise so Jacinda can hear you," the group were told. 

The police helicopter is circling the area as thousands of people continue to pour onto the motorway. 

So far there has been no resistance from police. 

The leaders of the group are now on the on-ramp leading to the Auckland Harbour bridge's left-hand lane. Most walkers have left the domain. 

State Highway 1 city bound, just south of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, about 11.45am. Photo / Michael Craig 

The protest – organised by Destiny Church's Freedom and Rights Coalition – was scheduled to start at Onepoto Domain at 11am. Gazebos were this morning set up at the domain, at least one with Trump flags flying. 

Cars lined up across the park, which is full of protesters. 

Locals residents were blocked from leaving their homes because of vehicles parked across driveways. 

One of the protest organisers warned people to act responsibly to avoid confrontation with the police. 

Herald reporters on the scene said local roads around the domain were beginning to be blocked shortly after 11am. 

The protest event is set to end at Victoria Park, where organisers say "we will enjoy a couple of great speakers and some live music. We will also outline what is next planned." 

Police were on high alert ahead of the event, earlier confirming to the Herald they would have a "significant" presence at the protest. 

Protest organisers said in a social media post that they had been donated "three full-size buses" to shuttle marchers from Victoria Park to Onepoto Domain. 

"The buses will go back and forth doing as many runs as possible before we close down the bridge. 

"These buses will also run directly after the event, to take any drivers back to Onepoto Domain who need a ride." 

Police warn they will "actively engage" with anyone who tries to cross it on foot. 

"The safety of all road users, our police staff and the protesters is our priority and our focus will be around public safety and ensuring that the disruption to the public is kept to a minimum. 

Police talk with protesters at Onepoto Domain this morning. Photo / Brett Phibbs 

"There will be a significant police presence around this protest, and we will be actively engaging with those present to prevent them crossing the harbour bridge due to the significant safety risks posed for those involved and the wider public." 

Yesterday, Waka Kotahi NZTA said there were no plans to close the Auckland Harbour Bridge, despite anti-mandate demonstrators flagging they planned to traverse the landmark structure on foot. 

A spokesperson said the road agency had not been contacted by organisers of the demonstration and there were no plans to close the bridge to traffic. 

"NZ Police will lead the response to this demonstration, with Waka Kotahi providing support to ensure the safe management of traffic in the area," a spokesperson said. 

The Automobile Association's motoring affairs principal adviser advocacy Martin Glynn also told the Herald he had serious concerns about safety as well as traffic disruption if a march over the harbour bridge was attempted. 

Police officers watch as gazebos are set up in Victoria Park. Photo / Michael Craig 

The bridge spanning Auckland's central CBD and the North Shore was one of the busiest stretches of motorway in New Zealand and it would be hugely dangerous if people attempted to walk over it without proper precautions having been set up to keep vehicles and marchers separated, he said. 

"There have been protest marches over the bridge in the past but they need to be well organised and sanctioned by authorities to ensure the people marching and all other users of the bridge are safe and traffic disruption is minimised. 

"As far as we know the news of this possible protest march has only recently become known and the authorities have no plans in place to accommodate it so hopefully we do not end up in a situation with a crowd attempting to walk across the bridge among live traffic and putting people at massive risk." 

A Freedom and Rights Coalition protest march from Auckland Domain last October. Photo / Brett Phibbs 

Auckland mayor Phil Goff criticised any plans for protest action to impact on the lives of others. 

In a statement to the Herald, Goff said: "The right to protest is a fundamental and valued part of democratic society. That does not, however, give anyone protesting the right to consider themselves above the law. 

"The role of the police is to uphold the law. Though they have independence to determine how they respond operationally to any breaches, I would expect the police to respond strongly to any action that puts lives, safety, or property at risk. 

"Any protest that needlessly and significantly disrupts the lives of others both invites a police response and will fail to win sympathy from the wider public for its views." 

Brian Tamaki speaks at a protest at Auckland's Domain late last year. Photo / Brett Phibbs 

Last year cyclists campaigning for a designated cycle lane broke through a police barrier and illegally cycled over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, in the process causing widespread traffic delays. At the time a spokesperson for Phil Goff said the mayor supported the call for a high-quality walking and cycling path - but he did not approve of councillors and others breaching the barrier. 

Those who took part in that ride included Auckland City councillor Pippa Coom and Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board member Peter McGlashan.