A large vehicle convoy protesting vaccine mandates by the New Zealand government is travelling the length of the country. Those participating in the convoy are making their way to Wellington in two separate groups – one departing Cape Reinga, and the other from Bluff.

The convoy protest was inspired by the ongoing trucker’s convoy protesting Covid-19 vaccine mandates in Canada.

While this protest has been largely ignored by mainstream media outlets and dismissed as a minority group of activists with fringe views, our reporters on the ground have found that in fact, it is a very different story.

The Daily Examiner estimated the North Island convoy to be between 10-15 kilometres in length, and involving hundreds of vehicles including cars, trucks, buses, and campervans. As well as the convoy itself, our reporters witnessed dedicated supporters with flags and signs displaying messages of support on nearly every overpass or bridge along the route.

The sheer number of people who were willing to brave the atrocious weather conditions to come out and support sends a very clear indication that this is certainly not a minority group, but rather a large and growing section of the population who are becoming more and more unhappy with the overbearing reaction of the New Zealand government to Covid-19.

Not one person that our reporters spoke to was politically motivated, but rather we found hundreds of regular New Zealanders who had suffered directly as a result of the government’s vaccine mandates and restrictions on freedoms and basic human rights.

Vehicles preparing to join the convoy north of Auckland. Photo: Mel Taylor

Leao Tilsdey, reporting from the Market Road overpass in Auckland came across a tragic story from a Grandmother. She said, “I’m here because I’ve got grandchildren, all jabbed, my whole family (are vaccinated), and they won’t see me because I’m not jabbed.”

Heidi said, “I feel like I’m in a controlling relationship (with the Government), and I want to be free to make my own decisions, I’m an adult.”

Supporters gather on a bridge near Dairy Flat. Photo: Mel Taylor

David Robson was at the Lake Road overpass near Te Rapa, and spoke to several of the locals supporting from the bridge. Many of the supporters he spoke to rely on farming for their income, yet due to vaccine mandates, farmers who have chosen not to be vaccinated can no longer attend stock sales to buy or sell cattle, effectively cutting off their income source. Another man, an engineer for Fonterra, had 20 days left to either get vaccinated, or lose his job. Others that were spoken to, were facing job loss even though they were in roles that were not frontline or client-facing.

Locals braving the weather to support the convoy in Te Rapa. Photo: Elliot Ikilei

Although many people would label these protestors as “anti-vax”, our reporters found that that simply is not the case. Many are fully in support of vaccines such as the MMR vaccine, yet expressed deep concern that the government was mandating the Covid-19 vaccine which is still in its experimental phase.

Every person that we spoke to was interested in one thing only – Freedom. Freedom to choose independently of a government mandate whether or not to be vaccinated. Freedom to earn an income. Freedom to take their kids to a restaurant for their birthdays. Freedom to live a normal life.  

Locals supporting at Te Rapa. Photo: Loorke Robson

Supporters wave and cheer as the convoy passes Te Rapa. Photo: Loorke RObson

The convoy approaches Te Rapa. Photo: Loorke Robson

Shortly after, the convoy stopped for the night near Ohaupo, where a local farmer had kindly opened his fields for the participants to camp overnight. Elliot Ikilei was reporting on site. According to him, the convoy was so large that it would have been impossible to fit on the one farm. Several other sites, including farms, a park, and a Christian Camp were opened to accommodate the convoy. Police were on site directing traffic, and according to all reports were respectful and helpful.

The convoy continues today towards Wellington. This is certainly not a fringe minority movement, but rather a significant message that the New Zealand government can no longer afford to ignore. No matter how much mainstream media try to ignore it, and no matter how many people try to write the event off as insignificant, this is a group of people who will clearly not be silenced, and are determined to see change, and to reinstate the freedoms that New Zealanders once had.