23 Feb 2022

Covid-19 Omicron outbreak: Parliament protest in 16th day

2:52 pm on 23 February 2022

Police say people at the anti-mandate protest at Parliament have voluntarily started to move their vehicles.

No more arrests have been made and officers are patrolling the cordon, speaking to businesses and residents impacted by the protest.

"Constructive discussions with protesters are ongoing and police continue to allow the service of both food supplies and portaloos at the protest, although vehicles are not permitted through any of the police-controlled cordons to enter the area."

The Armed Offenders Squad responded to a report of a man walking around with a gun in Frank Kitts Park, about 7.20am. It is a 15-minute walk from Parliament.

But it turned out he had a taiaha - a traditional Māori weapon.

Police will continue to take any reports regarding weapons seriously.

It says staff injured yesterday are back at work and doing well.

Police are still urging people at the protest to come forward if they know of any sexual assaults.

"Police are aware of comments online around possible sexual assaults at the protest, however, we are not immediately aware of any reports of such behaviour."

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says police staff working at the anti-mandate protest have contracted Covid-19.

See how the events at the protest in Wellington unfolded today:

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