Major events will disrupt central city

Aucklanders can expect road closures, crowded public transport and possible disruptions as the first weekend at level 1 kicks off with two major events.

Thousands are expected to attend Sunday afternoon’s Black Lives Matter rally, with road closures and bus diversions in the central city from midday until sunset.

More than 2000 people have already pledged to attend the peaceful protest in solidarity with antiracism movements across the world, sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer.

“Come stand with the Black Lives Matter Movement by showing your support, and also rally peacefully to protest against NZ arming our forces, and to shed more light onto the heavy racial profiling that happens here in Aotearoa,” says the event’s Facebook page.

Commuters were advised to check Auckland Transport’s website for affected bus services.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of rugby fans are set to attend their first professional rugby match in three months following the cancellation of the game globally due to Covid-19.

Tickets have been selling rapidly for the Eden Park clash between the Blues and Hurricanes also on Sunday afternoon, a match in which All Blacks superstar Beauden Barrett will make his debut for the franchise.

Travel to the Eden Park game on trains, regular and special event buses is included in the match tickets, but A¯ fans are warned to avoid the central city and travel early.