Police Operation at Parliament is Underway

A police operation at Parliament is underway this morning and protesters in Wellington have moved cars and campervans to block road entrances.

Police are descending on Parliament on day 23 of the occupation, with at least four large police wagons now outside the protest occupation and a helicopter flying overhead.

They say a “pre-planned operation” is underway and are asking the public and commuters to avoid the area near Parliament.

Hill Street is closed, and many surrounding streets to the protest have been blocked.

RNZ’s Charlotte Cook is speaking to Morning Report now about today’s police action.

She’s said around 300 officers are spread throughout the occupation, and were clearing tent sites earlier.

“Officers went through and sort of shook them, turned them upside down, made sure there were no occupants.”Police are making a “slow creep” towards the main camp, she said.She hasn’t seen many arrests and violence yet.“I think any escalation of violence is going to see this kick off quite dramatically,” she said.