Up to 10,000 gathered in the Auckland Domain and marched through the surrounding streets.
Reports from throughout New Zealand indicated a nationwide attendance of up to 42,000 across multiple centres.
The event included entertainment, speakers, and concluded with a march through the streets of Auckland.
According to a statement on the organisation’s website, the protest was for “those who agree this government is not doing a good job of protecting our freedoms and rights”.
A mostly peaceful, passionate passionate crowd, regular chants of “Freedom” could be heard, as well as loud ‘booing’ over increasing government policies restricting people movement and citizen involvement in democracy.
A motorcade arrives at the Auckland Domain. Image: Loorke Robson-Van Calster
Crowds listening to speakers in front of the Auckland Museum. Image: Loorke Robson-Van Calster
Speakers at the event included teachers, business owners, chaplains, and parents. A supportive crowd cheered them on as they promoted freedom, human rights, and condemned government overreach.
There were notable observations made from speakers including:
“I thought apartheid was just something I learned in my history lesson at school. I never thought that in my lifetime, we would have to be looking for the likes of another Martin Luther King.”
“What once was history is now at our doorstep, knocking and banging on our doors. But here we are, and together, a collective, we will make a stand.”
He also condemned the creation of two classes of citizens, saying, “This government has made it clear that there are two kinds of people. But we are not a nation of two people, we are a nation of one people.”
Event MC engages the crowd. Image: Loorke Robson-Van Calster
An aerial banner flying over the Auckland Domain. Image: Loorke Robson-Van Calster
A crowd of up to 10,000. Image: David Robson
At the conclusion of the speeches, the crowd took to the streets in a parade through Newmarket and the streets surrounding the Auckland Domain. Police escorted the parade, blocking off intersections while motorists honked in support. Our reporters estimated the parade to have extended up to 2km in length.
Protestors parade out of the Auckland Domain main field. Image: Loorke Robson-Van Calster
The parade makes it’s way up Domain Drive. Image: Loorke Robson-Van Calster
A masked protestor carries a billboard in the parade. Image: Loorke Robson-Van Calster
The parade on Park Road. Image: Loorke Robson-Van Calster
The previous “Freedom Picnic” on October 16, was reported to have up to 30,000 in attendance across the nation and resulted in several arrests, including that of Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, for alleged breaches of the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act 2020. Brian Tamaki was not in attendance at today’s picnic, due to being warned he would be arrested if he appeared; his wife, Hannah Tamaki, spoke in his place.
