March 09, 2022
Wardens put off stride by anti-vax protests
The head of Wellington’s Māori wardens says the threatening behaviour of anti-vaccination protestors is a new experience for the Māori peacekeepers.
The wardens are conducting patrols around the region in response to intimidation and attacks directed at Māori organisations, marae and vaccination centres during and after the Parliament grounds occupation.
Gabriel Tupou says they’re standing behind communities, such as the whānau of Wainuiomata who over the weekend banded together to prevent displaced protesters regrouping on their marae.
“Our people saw that actually, these people weren’t here to stay for any legitimate business other than to regroup, so the people here felt the need for the home guard to step in which is they did. They said we don’t want the trouble that’s been out there in Wellington to come into our suburb,” he says.
Mr Tupou says during the occupation of Parliament grounds, wardens found it hard to reach inside to check on the welfare of kaumatua or tamariki brought in by their parents.