July 23, 2022 | A protest organised by Brian Tamaki and the Freedom & Rights Coalition caused chaos. Video / Supplied / Michael Craig
* Stated plan to cause "major public interruption and disruption" achieved * Sections of Auckland's Southern Motorway were closed * Motorcyclists riding on wrong side of the road * Traffic blocked on Wellington CBD streets by marchers * Convoy on Auckland motorway vows to do a "slow roll" * Automobile Association calls for calm on the roads
Anti-Government protesters managed to stop traffic on sections of Auckland's Southern Motorway.
And while lanes in both directions are now open, motorists initially faced lengthy delays; with the Automobile Association calling for calm amongst frustrated drivers.
Police earlier a warning as protesters took part in a day of action organised by Destiny Church founder Brian Tamaki and the Freedom and Rights Coalition begin their goal of causing "major public interruption and disruption".
Several hundred protesters surge onto Auckland's Southern Motorway during today's day of protest in the country's three biggest cities. Photo / Michael Craig
Shortly after, protesters managed to get onto the northbound lanes of the Southern Motorway near Market Rd, leading to NZTA and police closing those lanes.
The lanes both ways were reopened before 1pm. But the impact of the closures lead to some long Saturday commutes for some come
A section of the southbound lanes on the Southern Motorway is free of traffic due to protest leading to the closing of a section of it. Photo / Supplied
Congestion northbound was back to Mt Wellington. While traffic heading southbound is gridlocked back to the lead-up to the Harbour Bridge. But at 2pm, traffic levels and congestion were back to normal levels.
Simon Douglas, general manager - Motoring Affairs for AA, advised motorists to check Auckland Transport for details of the protests and to try and avoid affected roads if possible.
He urged motorists to show patience.
"It's that time with the end of school holidays where we are all trying to get where we're going, but it is important we take a deep breath and be as patient as possible," Douglas said.
The event featured protests in three cities; Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
In Auckland, people began gathering in the Auckland Domain from about 9am and made no secret of their hope to march on the Southern Motorway.
A police block put in place which stopped traffic near the Auckland Domain. Photo / Michael Craig
A convoy of more than 30 motorbikes arrived at the Domain around 9.45am.
Members of it rode on the wrong side of the road once inside the public park - meaning any other traffic going the other way would have to wait for them - before parking up near the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
There are several hundred people at the Domain; some holding New Zealand flags.
Protesters at the Auckland Domain this morning for the event which organisers hope will later lead to traffic disruption. Photo / Supplied
In West Auckland, vehicles also gathered at Parr's Park for a "Slow Roll" drive to the Domain.
An earlier press release from the Tamaki-led coalition, stated "massive" public marches would take place in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in response to what the coalition deemed was Government-inflicted damage on the country.
UPDATE 12:30PM The Southern Mwy is now fully OPEN in both directions. Please expect delays as congestion eases. Thank you for your patience.^EH https://t.co/NRCdeRpN2r
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) July 23, 2022
"It is our intention to cause a major public interruption and disruption," it read.
"We will likely cause motorway mayhem in Auckland, and chaos in these major cities as we raise public awareness to the damage this Government is causing across this country."
Smaller crowds gathered in Wellington and Christchurch.
As the growd gathered, police in Wellington warned of potential traffic issues in the central city before and after the protest march there.
"Organisers have let Police know a march is planned along the Quays between Frank Kitts Park and the Railway Station from 11am," a spokesperson said.
Members of the Wellington protest group leave the Civic Square before blocking traffic in several streets around the central city. Photo / Katie Harris
"Police will be present to ensure the safety of all. Motorists should avoid the area, if possible."
Like in Auckland, the small group managed to stop traffic.
Just over 100 people met at the gathering point in Civic Square.
It included motorcyclists revving their engines, while others were blasting 80s pop.
After leaving the square, they initially blocked Victoria St, with motorists beeping their horns in frustration.
The protest actions led to gridlocked traffic in both directions.
Later they blocked lanes on Wakefield St and Jervois Quay.
At Parliament, shortly after 11am the only sign of potential protest there was a small fence, a couple of police officers and two security guards.
The coalition had organised and supported many protests across the country in the past 18 months, including the 23-day occupation of Parliament grounds earlier this year.
Today's protests - organised by Destiny Church founder Brian Tamaki and the Freedom and Rights Coalition - aim to chaos "motorway mayhem" and "chaos". File photo / NZ Herald
Reasons for the protest cited in the press release included but were not limited to; the high cost of living, understaffing of hospitals, GPs being overworked, education problems, three-waters legislation, a mental health crisis and under-resourced first responders.
In January, Tamaki was arrested for breaching bail conditions and spent nine days inside Auckland's Mt Eden Corrections Facility.
Bishop Brian Tamaki at earlier lockdown and vaccination protest at Auckland Domain last year. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Prior to that, he had been charged three times over his attendance at Auckland Domain lockdown protests.
The coalition's press release cited New Zealand had been "voted the 2nd worst place to live in" beaten only by Kuwait in the Middle East.
The remark was seemingly a reference to a survey of immigrants who considered New Zealand the second-worst country to move to out of 52 of the world's near-200 countries.
The survey was conducted by expatriate networking organisation InterNations and was informed by responses from nearly 12,000 people of 177 different nationalities, living in 181 countries.
Respondents were reportedly asked how their new homes performed on factors including quality of life, cost of living, safety, financial outlook, bureaucracy, and ease of fitting in.
