New Zealand Parliament

Protesters camped at New Zealand Parliament warned they could be trespassed

The group is part of a convoy which travelled to the capital yesterday to protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates.

Steel barriers have been put up in front of the protesters.

The crowd was still largely peaceful but some were heckling police and the temperature was starting to rise.

Protesters who spent the night camped on Parliament grounds have been warned they could be issued with a trespass notice.

About 1000 people and hundreds of vehicle converged on Parliament grounds yesterday, and at least 100 people camped overnight.

New Pasifika MPs blessed in 'ava ceremony

The evening honoured Labour’s Anae Dr Neru Leavasa, Tangi Utikere, Barbara Edmonds and Terisa Ngobi, as well as the Green Party’s first Pasifika MP Teanau Tuiono.

Guests included fellow Labour Party Pacific MPs Aupito William Sio, Carmel Sepuloni, Kris Faafoi, Poto Williams and Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, who welcomed the new MPs in their speeches during the ‘ava ceremony.

PMN News reports Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki was the Master of Ceremonies.

NZ Speaker wants better appreciation of Pacific

According to Trevor Mallard, the Pacific parliaments programme, Tai a Kiwa, is a good vehicle for this.

Historically, Wellington has not had a good relationship with Pacific parliaments, said Mr Mallard, and had looked to the UK, the US, Australia and more recently to Asia.

He said it was why he had pushed for Speaker-led parliamentary exchanges in the region, before the Tai a Kiwa programme which was formalised a year ago.

"Firstly, up to Vanuatu and the Solomons," he said.

End of Life Choice bill vote in NZ Parliament today

MPs will vote according to their conscience, rather than along party lines, in the second reading of ACT Party leader David Seymour's End of Life Choice Bill. It will either edge closer to becoming law or be thrown out.

The first reading passed by a significant margin of 76 votes to 44 in December.

Many who supported it then did so on the basis they wanted to see the bill go to first to a select committee - where bills are polished and changed - so it could be properly debated.

Pacific women MPs visit the Beehive

The initiative is a Commonwealth-funded programme to enhance good governance in the region and encourage more women to take up senior political roles.

Christchurch East MP Poto Williams cited Tonga and Samoa, where legislatures have changed to accommodate the participation of more women into politics.

"There are ways and means to enhance the system to encourage women in," she says. "Once they are there it's about supporting them to be the best MPs. It's about ensuring they understand the role of the select committee or writing legislation, advocating for their community."

Man who set himself on fire has died, NZ police say

Emergency services rushed to the scene just before 4pm yesterday and treated the man where he lay, near the statue of Richard Seddon.

RNZ reports the man was then taken to Wellington Hospital in a critical condition.

Police said this morning they were still investigating what had happened.

They were conducting enquiries on behalf of the coroner.