New flashmob protests at politicians’ homes
A short, sharp protest outside the Auckland residence of Foreign Minister Winston Peters on Friday night was aimed at hitting him with messaging around the plight of Palestine and then getting away before police turned up.
A group of around 30 people gathered for five minutes in the suburban St Mary’s Bay street, waving placards and shouting demands through a megaphone before slipping away.
It shows an evolving element to the protest action with video showing police visiting the homes of protesters, endorsing their right to speak out while warning against breaches of the peace.
Veteran protester John Minto said as protest movements matured so too did the actions of those determined to make a point — and police in trying to exert control.
The protest in St Mary’s Bay came after dark and protesters used the megaphone and placards to make “demands” of the foreign minister.
Those included reinstating funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which was withdrawn amid accusations by Israel that members of its staff were involved in the October 7 atrocity by Hamas in which 1163 were killed.
It also demanded New Zealand cut diplomatic ties with Israel, saying there had been no suitable response to its assault on Gaza which has killed more than 35,000 people. By comparison, it took 13 days for sanctions to be imposed against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.
The protesters also sought the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador.
Peters was singled out with protesters alleging he had not “condemned Israel” yet had criticised Iran for its attack on the encircled nation. He was urged to grant visas for Palestinians so they could leave the war zone.
One protester said the protest was a “snap action” carried out by groups who had also visited Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s house.
“Last night we agreed five minutes was appropriate to get the message across and then disperse before the police came.”
The protester said six of the group had been visited at home by police over the last month. They believed police may have identified them from previous protest actions.
A police spokeswoman said protests would be approached according to each situation but could involve making contact with people ahead of events.