Covid-19: Wellington Mayor on Parliament protest - a podcast by RNZ

Wellington Mayor Andy Foster admits they have lost control of part of the city as a protest around the Parliament area enters its third day.
Anti-vaccine mandate protestors have descended on the city and blocked off streets around Parliament.
They're also camping on the grounds of Parliament and surrounding areas.
Foster told Morning Report the wider city is largely undisrupted but businesses, schools and bus routes near Parliament have been affected.
He said he spoke to police at least three times on Wednesday but ultimately the decision to break things up is an operational matter for them.
"The conversation we've had is about how we get a resolution to essentially get our city back. That's both our streets and the grounds of Parliament."
Ticketing the vehicles would be largely ineffective and could present safety issues.
"Ticketing, of course, doesn't move the vehicle... we want the vehicles moved.
"The second one is that we could probably ticket the vehicles on the fringe but to start going into the middle of a large group of people, we would need the police involvement in doing that."
Foster said conversations were being had with tow truck drivers about how to move the vehicles and they had been clear they want police support if they do so.
He said people who do not need to be around Parliament should avoid the area.
"I've been down there a couple of times and I didn't feel unsafe at all.
"I know that there are people who are a bit mouthy. So, I could see how it could quite quickly turn to perhaps not being very pleasant.
"Avoid that particular area if you can, and we will keep on working with the police to try and resolve this."

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