Key Takeaways
- The Freedoms and Rights Coalition’s request to march over the Auckland Harbour Bridge has been denied by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) due to the group’s failure to meet the necessary requirements.
- The group’s leader, Brian Tamaki, claims that the requirements, including a cash bond and police and council sign off, were not clearly communicated to them.
- Police have warned Tamaki that they will not support an unauthorised march and have made it clear that they will only support access to the bridge with a permit from NZTA.
- The protest, dubbed the "Bridge to Better" march, aims to promote Christian values and protest against immigration, certain politicians, and the police hierarchy.
- The NZTA requires a cash bond equivalent to 50% of the estimated cost for use of the bridge four weeks before the event, which was not paid by the Freedoms and Rights Coalition.
Introduction to the Controversy
The Freedoms and Rights Coalition, led by Brian Tamaki, has been denied permission to march over the Auckland Harbour Bridge due to their failure to meet the necessary requirements. Tamaki expressed his disappointment but not surprise at the decision, stating that the group was told at the last minute that they would have to pay a bond and get council and police sign off. This lack of clear communication has led to a standoff between the group and the authorities, with police warning that they will not support an unauthorised march.
The Requirements for Access to the Bridge
According to the NZTA’s public website, the organiser of an event must pay a cash bond equivalent to 50% of the estimated cost for use of the bridge four weeks before the event. Additionally, the organiser must get police and council sign off, which was not done by the Freedoms and Rights Coalition. Tamaki claims that the professionals who wrote up the traffic management plan were unaware of these requirements, and the bond came as a surprise to them. This lack of clarity has led to confusion and frustration among the group’s leaders.
Police Warning and Stance
Police have made it clear that they will not support any access to the bridge that does not receive a permit from NZTA. Inspector Mark Fergus has warned Tamaki that police will not condone any action that puts people at risk, while also recognising the right to protest provided it is lawful and peaceful. The police spokesperson stated that they have had engagement with the organisers over recent weeks and have made their stance clear. This firm stance by the police has raised tensions between the group and the authorities, with Tamaki vowing that "this isn’t the last you will hear about this".
The Purpose of the Protest
The "Bridge to Better" march, as dubbed by Tamaki, aims to promote Christian values and protest against immigration, certain politicians, and the police hierarchy. Tamaki had earlier hoped to lead a protest over the harbour bridge on Labour weekend but claimed that he had postponed the plans. However, authorities said that permission was actually refused. The new protest is seen as a way for the group to voice their concerns and promote their values, but the denial of access to the bridge has put a damper on their plans.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The denial of access to the Auckland Harbour Bridge has sparked a controversy between the Freedoms and Rights Coalition and the authorities. The group’s failure to meet the necessary requirements, including the payment of a cash bond and police and council sign off, has led to a standoff. While the police have made it clear that they will not support an unauthorised march, Tamaki has vowed to continue the fight. The "Bridge to Better" march may still go ahead, but it remains to be seen whether the group will be able to find an alternative route or venue. One thing is certain, however, and that is that this controversy is far from over.