As convoys of protesters begin their week of disruption this morning, Police Minister Mark Mitchell has warned his officers âwill take action ... if there is any sort of law brokenâ.
Mitchell said he had been assured by organisers of the HÄ«koi mÅ te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) that they were committed to it being a peaceful protest.
The protest, organised by Te PÄti MÄori-aligned advocacy group ToitÅ« te Tiriti, started at Cape RÄinga about 6am today.
Groups will spend the night in WhangÄrei before continuing the march to Aucklandâs boundary tomorrow.
On Wednesday, convoys of protesters will travel southbound along Aucklandâs Northern Motorway during the morning commute. Convoys will continue southbound on the Southern Motorway as commuters try to get home later that day.
The protesters will then converge on Wellington to gather at Parliament next Tuesday after passing through at least two dozen towns across the North Island.
Mitchell said: âDepending on the numbers that join the hÄ«koi, there may be some disruption around traffic flow.
âBut fundamentally, police have been very clear with organisers that if there are any breaches of the peace, if there is any sort of law broken, if any member of the public has their rights trampled over, then police will take action on that.
â[Police] are working very closely [with organisers], and theyâve got a very good, strong working relationship with the hÄ«koi organisers. And the organisers are taking it seriously. Theyâve hired a traffic management company to help with that.
âAs recently as this morning, I was hearing them say they were committed to a peaceful protest,â Mitchell told the Mike Hosking Breakfast show on Newstalk ZB.
While ToitÅ« te Tiriti is focused on protesting over Act Party leader David Seymourâs Treaty Principles Bill, which had its first reading in Parliament last week, police say there is a risk other protest groups may join in and inflame tensions.
Police have anticipated gang members opposed to an incoming patch ban may join the march. Police also believe groups protesting over the conflict in Gaza could join. A ToitÅ« te Tiriti spokeswoman said protest groups such as these were part of âthe causeâ of the eight-day event.
Cops expect peaceful, lawful protest after word with organisers
Police Superintendent Kelly Ryan said police established a major operations centre at police headquarters in Wellington yesterday to oversee the response across the island.
The centre will give logistical, resource and communication support to all districts along the convoy route, Ryan said.
She said police had been speaking with organisers for many weeks.
âOur discussions with organisers to date have been positive and we expect the hÄ«koi to be conducted in a peaceful and lawful manner,â Ryan said.
âWeâve planned for large numbers to join the hÄ«koi, with disruption likely to some roads, including highways and main streets along the route.â
- NZ Herald
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