A convoy of cars, trucks and motorbikes have now arrived in Wellington causing delays on main roads. Video / Supplied
Hundreds of cars, trucks and motorbikes have now arrived at Parliament, as they continue to cause major backlogs on the main roads around and into Wellington.
The movement - dubbed the Convoy 2022 - has attracted people from all around the country.
A large group of motorbikes, cars and trucks arrived outside parliament about 11am, coming to a stop on Molesworth St, and several thousand are now on Parliament's lawn.
Protesters have also parked at the bottom of Lambton Quay - blocking traffic heading into Parliament.
Protesters supporting The Freedom Convoy on Parliament's forecourt and lawn in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell
They are protesting against the Government's ongoing Covid rules and restrictions, including the vaccine mandate introduced last year.
Both Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and National leader Christopher Luxon said they had no intention of engaging with the protesters.
TimeSaver Traffic earlier reported the convoy, travelling from both ends of the country, has accidentally split into three groups, causing major traffic backlogs on State Highway 1 along the Kāpiti Coast.
Thousands of anti-mandate protesters have descended on Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Traffic updates posted on Facebook said at midday there were around 1000 vehicles and growing, with the first "wave" just arriving to Parliament.
Lower Hutt resident Carol Bayler said she was driving from Greys Rd to Paekākāriki earlier this morning when she saw the convoy, going slow and holding up traffic.
"I wound down the window and gave them the thumbs down, hoping they would know that I was against what they were driving for," she said.
"And someone threw a soda can over to my side of the road.
"I felt unsafe and threatened, especially that they were purposefully holding up other vehicles."
Mōrena Pōneke.
Please be aware that a truck convoy protest is planned for Wellington this morning and is likely to cause traffic disruption around the city.
Please take care and plan your journey accordingly.
A woman who has lived by the Kāpiti Expressway for 40 years says she has never seen so many cars pass through the highway.
"They came, and they came, and they didn't stop – it was unbelievable," said Anne.
"This queue must have gone on for at least three-quarters of an hour. It's going to be huge in Wellington ... I don't even know how they're going to get in there."
One of the vehicles in the convoy protest heading to Wellington. Photo / Brayden Versey
A police spokesperson said the planned protest activity was expected to cause congestion on routes into Wellington City this morning.
"Motorists travelling into Wellington from the Hutt Valley and Kāpiti should anticipate delays and consider delaying travel," they said.
"Police will continue to monitor this activity."
The protesters are demonstrating against vaccine mandates. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said Labour has no plans to engage with the convoy when it arrives.
Parliament resumes today but with only half the total of MPs present due to Covid safety precautions.
Ardern told RNZ this morning she had a busy day ahead including a caucus meeting and had no intention to greet the convoy when it arrived.
"No, it's not our intention. We have a full day in Parliament today as well with the caucus, public backing session so a busy day ahead of us and that's what we'll be focused on today," said Ardern.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon also said no National MPs would engage with the protesters.
"We have a busy day here. I appreciate there is a range of views sitting in the protest but we are a party that is pro-vaccination and boosters. We think that is the best protection people can have."
Asked if he was also supportive of the vaccine mandates across multiple workforces, he said he supported them at this point in time.
"That's something we've supported to this point. We think ultimately the Government, having stepped in, will have to determine how to step out in due course. But right now we think the setting is the right one."
Luxon has had to talk to MP Harete Hipango after she twice went to watch protests in her local community. All National MPs are vaccinated.
The freedom convoy heading to parliament represents a large number of kiwis who are frustrated with the govts delays, inconsistencies and incompetence resulting in the loss of freedoms and livelihoods.
We all should listen to the legitimately frustrated kiwis - including the PM.
Peters' tweet said the convoy heading to parliament "represents a large number of kiwis who are frustrated with the govt's delays, inconsistencies and incompetence resulting in the loss of freedoms and livelihoods.
"We all should listen to the legitimately frustrated kiwis - including the PM."
Supporters of the convoy protest to Wellington on the Wilks Road overbridge on the Southern Motorway, in Auckland, yesterday. Photo / Brayden Versey
People involved in the protest are coming from both ends of the country - with a convoy of vehicles travelling from Bluff and another convoy coming from Cape Reinga.
Many of the cars have messages scrawled across the sides or windows, including: "They will not control us. We will be victorious."
Another truck pictured online had the words: "No mandates ... f**k off."
Those organising the convoy protest have described it as a peaceful movement.
