Protesters have splattered fake blood inside Defence House next door to Parliament this morning. 

Images of the scene show fake blood splattered and pooled around the building’s foyer and on the front desk. Both entrances inside Defence House, where workers have to present swipe cards to enter, had the red substance thrown on them. 

A reporter at the scene said about 15 protesters were “out the back of Parliament”. 

Protesters were also stationed near Defence House, near a cafe and sites where workers enter the building. 

A witness described the substance as a “red liquid”, which was possibly paint. 

Red liquid was splattered on the Defence House floor near a security entrance. 

Police officers are at the scene, including a police van. 

In a statement, Peace Action Wellington said two protesters were arrested in relation to the incident. 

“Ten activists staged a die-in at the security entry points to the offices of the NZDF, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Ministry of Defence. Additional peace activists gathered at the building’s entrances with banners and signs demanding an end to Aotearoa New Zealand’s participation in RIMPAC,” the group said. 

Peace Action Wellington carried out the protest to oppose New Zealand Defence Force troops being deployed in Pacific military exercises, and its involvement with Israel. 

Police and the NZDF have been contacted for comment. 

Azaria Howell is a Wellington-based multimedia reporter with an eye across the region. She joined NZME in 2022, and has a keen interest in city council decisions, public service agency reform, and transport.