‘Aotearoa is Rising’ arose against government’s climate and treaty policies

New Zealand youth, animal rights and Māori activist groups have come together to protest the government’s proposed climate and Waitangi treaty policies.

In the nationwide ‘Aotearoa is Rising’ protests, the participants campaigned against the governments proposals such as dismantling of the Māori health authority Te Aka Whai Ora, the fast-track approvals bill and more.

Among them was SAFE, an animal rights activist group which joined the protest due to their concern over the proposed reverse live export ban, says its head of investigations Will Appelbe.

“One of the new policies that the government is introducing will be to reverse the ban on live export which we're utterly opposed by…that is very concerning so that's why we want to partner with other organisations who are equally upset about a range of different issues.”

Adding “It's about communities and organisations coming together who are impacted by policies of the new government and sending a collective message to the government that we are stronger together.”

Appelbe believes that there will be more protests which will take place in the future if the government do not make a change.

“We have seen collective outrage from people across the country who are appalled by some of the radical things that this government is doing.”

“I anticipate that we'll probably see more of this as time goes on, unless the government, listens to people.”

The Auckland rally was held on April, 5, starting at the Parnell rose gardens and ending at Albert Park where speeches, performances and a range of other events were held.