New Zealand police have been attacked by anti-mandate protesters after ordering demonstrators off parliament's lawns in Wellington.
The Convoy 2022 NZ group have camped outside parliament for the past two nights after travelling to the capital to protest the government's COVID-19 response.
The convoy began from the northern tip of North Island and the southernmost town of South Island on Sunday, growing in number on the way and reaching Wellington on Tuesday for a largely respectful, if boisterous, rally.
However, they didn't leave at day's end, camping on the grounds in defiance of parliamentary rules and leaving cars on roads blocking traffic.
Three protesters, including at least one who attempted to perform a citizen's arrest of Health Minister Andrew Little, were arrested on Wednesday.
By Thursday, the situation had become untenable and Speaker Trevor Mallard ordered the grounds closed to restore order.
An extra 100 police - on top of the dozens already on the scene - have been sent to the grounds, where protesters linked arms and resisted being moved on.
"Police have appealed repeatedly to protesters to leave the grounds and have begun evicting people from the precinct ... police acknowledges people's right to protest, this needs to be conducted in a way that do not unfairly impact on the wider public," Superintendent Corrie Parnell said.
Speaking from Auckland, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern supported the call, saying it was time for protesters to leave.
They disagreed, with multiple outlets reporting officers being punched and kicked by protesters as they held firm.
Police have made a greater number of arrests on Thursday morning.
