New Zealand: Activist groups to protest across country Aug. 20-22, with rally in central Wellington Aug. 23 /update 1

Activists to stage vehicular convoy protests across New Zealand beginning Aug. 20, with rally at Parliament House in Wellington Aug. 23.

Event

Activists from the Freedom and Rights Coalition, Convoy NZ, and affiliated groups have released details concerning their planned cross-country convoy protest with two separate caravans Aug. 20-23. The purpose of the action is to demand a no-confidence vote in parliament to force the ouster of the ruling Sixth Labour Government. Participants will separately assemble at Invercargill at the far southern end of the South Island Aug. 20 and in Kaitaia on the North Island Aug. 22 before converging Aug. 23 in Wellington, where a rally will take place outside of Parliament House starting at 13:00. Demonstrators will make stops in towns and cities along State Highway 1, likely impacting traffic through Aug. 23. Convoy NZ may carry out go-slow actions on roads leading to Parliament House and other areas of Wellington. Protest coordinators did not immediately say how many participants the action may draw.

Organizers have released the following details concerning specific assembly points on South Island:

08:00 Aug. 20: Activists will gather at Bluff town near Invercargill to head toward Dunedin.
11:30 Aug. 20: Convoy will meet at Dunedin to travel north toward Christchurch at 12:30.
17:30 Aug. 20: Caravan will arrive at Christchurch where activists will seek overnight accommodation.
08:00 Aug. 21: Activists will head toward Picton to take the ferry in the evening for Wellington; organizers will then merge with the northern caravan outside Parliament House Aug. 23.

Additionally, activists have announced that they will gather at the following times and locations on the North Island Aug. 22:

01:00 Kaitaia: Activists will gather at Te Ahu community center before departing at 1:30.
04:00 Whangarei: Gathering will commence at outside McKay Stadium before departing at 4:30.
06:00 Auckland: Convoy to meet at Onepoto Domain before departing at 07:00.
08:00 Gisborne: Caravan will meet at Kaiti Hub prior to departure at 08:30.
10:30 Tauranga: Demonstrators will gather at Tauranga Yacht Club before leaving at 11:00.
10:30 Hamilton: Activists will rendezvous at Te Rapa Road in North Hamilton before leaving at 11:00.
12:00 Napier: Meeting point at Eskdale Bayview BP truck stop before leaving at 12:30.
12:30 Tokoroa: Activists to gather at Ashworth St prior to departing at 13:00.
13:00 New Plymouth: Organizers to meet outside TBS Stadium before leaving at 13:30.
15:00 Taupo: Convoy to gather at Z-Tauhara Service Station before driving at 15:30.
17:00 Whanganui: Activists to meet at Magestic Square before leaving at 17:30.
21:00 Wellington: Caravan to arrive at the city to seek overnight accommodation.

Authorities will almost certainly increase security near sites where demonstrations materialize. Roadblocks or security cordons are particularly likely in the vicinity of the Parliament Buildings in the nation's capital. Disruptions are likely on vehicle ferry services linking Picton on the South Island to Wellington. While the event will probably remain largely peaceful, isolated confrontations between demonstrators and police cannot be ruled out.

Advice

Monitor trusted local sources for updates about protest activity. Confirm availability of ferry services. Allow extra time to reach destinations in central Wellington Aug. 23; avoid all demonstrations as a precaution and heed the instructions of local authorities.