Three people have been arrested as hundreds of protesters spent a second day camped outside of Parliament calling for an end to vaccine mandates. 

The protest group, which calls itself Freedom Convoy 2022 based on similar actions around the world, have also illegally parked along streets surrounding Parliament – the vehicles partially blocking several streets. 

At least 100 officers greeted protesters today, many of whom had camped overnight at Parliament after travelling across the country in convoy to protest against vaccine mandates and the Government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

While most of the day was peaceful, there are reports of members of the public being abused by protesters, including a 17-year-old girl who had eggs hurled at her because she was wearing a mask. 

There was a moment of tension mid-morning also when parliamentary security accompanied by police issued a protest organiser a trespass notice. 

The organiser promptly threw the notice back at security, and angrily began yelling abuse. A crowd gathered around and also began verbally abusing the media present. 

Just after 3pm a small group attempted to breach gates set up on the Parliamentary forecourt as a barrier to the main buildings. 

Three people were arrested. Police have not said if any charges have been laid. 

"This is extremely disappointing as until this occurred, the activity of most of those present has been peaceful for the majority of the day," Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said. 

The Prime Minister as well as the Speaker of the House declined to say if they felt the protesters should be moved on, saying it was a matter for police. 

Parnell said officers would remain at Parliament tonight and will continue to monitor activity recognising people had a right to peaceful protest. 

Due to the parked vehicles a small part of Molesworth St remains impassable to through traffic and the area around Parliament, including the northern end of Lambton Quay and lower Bowen St, should be avoided, Parnell said. 

As media attempted to report on the protest threats were hurled at them, including for reporters to "watch your backs on the street tonight" while also criticising mainstream media for not reporting on the protest. 
 
Newstalk ZB's Barry Soper spoke to several protesters. 

Helen Coster told Soper she works for the New Zealand Defence Force and declined to get the vaccine due to an underlying health condition, which she felt would put her at risk. 

As her profession falls under a mandate she has been told her job will be terminated on March 1. 

"I feel I am in a no-win situation. I have been a loyal employee for nine years. I moved to Ohakea with my 13-year-old son and family. I am heartbroken and betrayed." 

Another protester, who declined to give his name, said he felt the mandates were causing division. 

"We have never been so divided in our history," he said. 

"I just look around the people who have joined this movement, representing every colour, creed, age bracket, all speaking in one voice to end the mandates." 

He said because he did not allow his 13-year-old daughter to be vaccinated the sprint champion could not compete in athletics. 

"It is appalling children cannot play the sport they love because their parents love them enough to not jab them." 

While the protesters have united under the banner of opposing mandates, the Herald viewed a vast array of concerns, including misinformation about vaccines and natural immunity, along with protests about Oranga Tamariki and even about saving Marsden Point near Whangārei. 

Politicians have been universal in their condemnation of the protest messages - particularly around vaccine misinformation, while also supporting their right to protest. 

The Prime Minister said says while she was concerned about misinformation running through a protest group outside Parliament, their right to be there is "a part of New Zealand". 

"I've seen a range of protests over my time and this is certainly not large in scale. And not representative of the vast majority of New Zealanders." 

Asked about some of the views being portrayed, including that natural immunity was more effective than the vaccines, Ardern said it was concerning. 

"We should all be concerned about misinformation. Not just Covid and vaccines but generally. 

"There is a core here where actually they think that they're trying to save everyone else. 

"It is very hard to have a conversation about facts when they question everything. But remember – it's a small group – keep it in perspective. 

"The only reason they can move around is because [the] majority of people are getting vaccinated." 

Asked why police did not simply move them along, particularly given it could be a "superspreader event", Ardern said these decisions were for police, as were decisions around traffic control. 

"You would never want a government in charge. That is always a call for police. 

"People often protest on the front lawn of Parliament. It is part of New Zealand. 

"You would not want a situation where the government of the day decided who was and wasn't to receive enforcement activities. That's a call for the police and so we'll leave that to the police." 

- by Michael Neilson, NZ Herald