Protester numbers outside New Zealand's parliament have swelled as police scaled back efforts to clear anti-vaccine demonstrators involved in violent clashes a day earlier.

A festive mood prevailed at a makeshift tent settlement inhabitants have dubbed “Camp Freedom”, with music and dancing as police looked on from behind barricades, AFP reported.

Wellington police described the hands-off tactics as a “measured approach”, pointing to the presence of children among the crowd.

“Police are continuing to monitor and contain protest activity at parliament grounds,” Superintendent Corrie Parnell said in a statement.

A protester with a New Zealand flag stands in front of Parliament buildings on the fourth day of demonstrations against Covid-19 restrictions, inspired by a similar demonstration in Canada, in Wellington on February 11. — AP
A protester with a New Zealand flag stands in front of Parliament buildings on the fourth day of demonstrations against Covid-19 restrictions, inspired by a similar demonstration in Canada, in Wellington on February 11. — AP

Opinion

Editorial

Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...
A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...