by Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com
National MP for Tukituki Catherine Wedd says her new members’ bill will give Police a clearer tool to protect commuters and emergency services from illegal protest actions that block major roads, bridges, and tunnels.
The Crimes (Impeding Major Bridges, Tunnels, and Roads) Amendment Bill would create a specific offence for protest groups or individuals who damage or obstruct key transport infrastructure. The proposed maximum penalty is two years’ imprisonment, a $20,000 fine, or both.
Wedd says the bill responds to a pattern of increasingly disruptive protest tactics on major routes in Auckland, Wellington, and the Waikato.
“Kiwis going about their daily lives — commuting to work, taking the kids to school, or attending appointments — should not have their journeys disrupted by protestors illegally blocking roads, tunnels, or bridges,” she said. “All New Zealanders have the right to protest lawfully and fairly, but the dangerous and highly disruptive tactics we have seen on our transport networks in recent years are unacceptable.”
Earlier this year, protestors attempted to march onto the Auckland Harbour Bridge, causing temporary stoppages on State Highway 1. Days earlier, separate protest actions disrupted sections of Auckland’s Northern and Southern Motorways and the Waikato Expressway, creating significant delays and blockages.
Wellington commuters experienced similar chaos in 2023, when repeated protest actions brought parts of the capital to a standstill. RNZ reported at the time that at least five police cars were trapped in the gridlock — a scenario Wedd says highlights the real‑world risks.
“The idea that the reckless actions of a few could prevent people from receiving help is simply deplorable and un‑Kiwi,” she said.
Wedd argues the bill fills a gap by creating a clear, targeted offence for obstructing or damaging major roading infrastructure, rather than relying on broader or harder‑to‑apply provisions.
“These stronger penalties will act as a deterrent to those seeking to disrupt critical infrastructure and will give Police a direct tool to crack down on offenders,” she said. “I will be working hard to secure the support needed to make this bill law.”
