Authority Upholds 6 Cases of Excessive Force by NZ Police During COVID ‘Convoy’ Protest

The ‘convoy’ protest centred on opposition to COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates before devolving into clashes between protestors and police.

People face off with police near the Parliament as police move in to clear protesters in Wellington, New Zealand on March 2, 2022. Dave Lintott/AFP via Getty Images

The police deputy commissioner has stood by his officers after the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) upheld six cases of misconduct against police during the protests at New Zealand’s Parliament.

The protest, which began on Feb. 6, 2022, and lasted until March 2, 2022, was an occupation of the grounds of the NZ Parliament building and surrounding areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.