The BFD staff attended as many of the protests on Friday as possible.
We ran and updated this post continually throughout the day in order to keep those that couldn’t be there informed in order to highlight the magnitude of unrest around the country, and also to provide a counter-view to what the MSM was likely to dish up.
We have republished the post so that those who have missed the latest updates can enjoy them on Saturday.
8.15am
CONGRATULATIONS ON GROUNDSWELL DAY TO EVERYONE INVOLVED would love to join in, have tractor [ bought myself a brand new tractor for my 80th birthday] but not able to get there today, we have seen so many changes in NZ since this Government has been in with very little of benefit to NZ much causing division when all people want is to do their job and get on with their lives without Government interference. Let’s hope they take notice of the reaction today otherwise we have to be serious next election, cheers Carol Dunlop.
About to leave for Katikati. Bit of a long drive so should be there on time hopefully.
Queenstown route is Remarkables turnoff, to Kawarau rd, right onto Lucas Pl, around the back of the airport etc all the way to SH6. Left and head into QT on Frankton Rd. Left onto Shotover St then on through town to 1 mile roundabout and disperse. Drinkies at Canyon Brewing after.
11.43am
119 vehicles so far for Queenstown.
11.50 am
Good show up south side of Katikati.
12.30
Great turnout in Richmond.
12.43
Hastings Howl protest.
12.52
Big traffic jam in Queenstown.
13.02
Here is a video of part of the Dunedin (Mosgiel and Allenton) Protest going over Saddle Hill on their way to the Octagon. Took at least 3/4 an hour for the whole convoy to go past.
Katikati protest: Crowd being addressed by Groundswell organizer. Simon Bridges lurking around.
Katikati convoy came from both ends of town, completely blocking off SH2 for a time. Possibly 3km of the convoy in both directions through the main street. (The crowd listening to Christina Humphrey’s speech in Moore Park was disappointingly small. There appeared to be fewer people than there were cars in the convoy.)
13.24 Christchurch Square.
The Crowd roared as Groundswell tractors left Cathedral Square Christchurch.
13.25 Queenstown.
National Party leader Judith Collins in Blenheim.
Railway Ave Hastings.
14.36
Howl of a Protest Queen Street Auckland
A great procession up and down Queen Street!
As a retired farmer (of some 40 years) it was heartening to see the turnout today. There did not appear to be any dissenting voices in the crowd.
Kerikeri Groundswell Protest
An amazing turnout – tractors unable to lead as there were too many vehicles leaving sports ground for the town centre – they left after the 100s of vehicles. Everyone was positively supported by the public who lined the main street of Kerikeri.
Tractors (about 30) followed by utes commenced exiting the Richmond Showgrounds at midday. Police were on traffic control allowing through traffic and protesters equal opportunity to move on up the street. When we left at 13:00 I estimate that there were still 100 utes waiting to exit the showgrounds.
Someone was counting the vehicles, which will be handy to refute any media downgrading. Chatting to complete strangers at the entrance/exit to the Show Grounds I found immediately that we were on the same frequency and there was much concern about where the country was heading. I was surprised that they hadn’t heard of The BFD so gave them a heads-up. My brother attended in Hokitika. Said there were many there but spoiled by the rain hosing down. They were one up on us – some bright spark turned up in a tank!
Groundswell Otorohanga protest.
These pics are from the Otorohanga protest today. There was an excellent turnout with a convoy travelling south from Te Awamutu and another from Te Kuiti heading north, both converging on the small Waikato town.
A lone bagpiper entertained the waiting crowd, which included all ages, many NZ flags and a few Make Ardern Go Away stickers. It was a fantastic show of patriotism from well-behaved kiwis and their awesome pooches.
Fantastic turn out at Katikati today. Long protest of vehicles from both ends of the main street.
Howl of a protest Auckland.
Groundswell Auckland.
So what is Groundswell NZ and what are the protests about?
Groundswell NZ started up in November 2020 following a meeting of the minds at a tractor protest in Gore. It was basically a group of concerned New Zealanders who were passionate about the environment they live and work in and believe there are far superior solutions to continue improving this than those being implemented in the new National Policy Statement. They are striving for a sensible, sustainable and above all practical solution to the problems being created by this Government and all their ridiculous overbearing controls on farming.
What they are talking about are the crazy, unworkable new regulations around farming, which are basically Labour telling Farmers and Growers how to Farm and Grow, with a one-size-fits-no-one, mishmash of expensive nonsense.
Over the last few months, a series of nationwide protests have been organised for around noon today and these have grown to include not only farmers and growers but all New Zealanders who are being affected by the Labour Government’s draconian rules, regulations and above all, onerous taxes, such as the upcoming so-called ‘Ute Tax’.
The Ute Tax is really a misnomer however as this new tax will be on every newly registered vehicle in NZ that doesn’t fit the government’s as-yet unannounced threshold for ‘dirty’ cars. From what we have seen so far, this is likely to include anything diesel and anything big enough to tow a trailer, so pretty much anything that isn’t an EV.
Some may think that because they don’t buy new cars, they won’t be affected. But of course, everyone will as there has to be a trickle-down of the higher prices to secondhand cars, but the biggest cost to consumers will come from increased costs for the Trades and services that one might use.
Another major issue is the Significant Natural Area (SNA’s) land grab where the Government is effectively forcing many farmers to give up land into non-productive conservation blocks or similar.
Of course, having fools like Minister for the Environment James Shaw slagging Groundswell NZ off as “a group of Pakeha farmers down south” on a Maori radio station hasn’t gone down all that well either. It simply goes to show the arrogance and disdain that our Government holds for farmers and “Pakeha” in general.
The protests are welcome to all. You don’t have to have a ute or a tractor, come in whatever you want. If you want to make up some sort of sign for your vehicle or placards to hold, please feel free to do so. The main stipulation is basically that there is a ‘No Dickheads’ rule.
Groundswell NZ is very cognizant of the fact that there will be people who feel very strongly about this Government and its current leaders, but this is not a time to be a redneck as that would only add fuel for the haters and wreckers who run our country, and of course, the Media who will likely be all over anyone crossing the line.
This is essentially the first national protest movement that is gaining traction and we should all be careful to not tarnish it so respectful attendance is requested. By all means, be noisy, get your point across etc, but there are a few rules for attendees to keep it all as professional as possible.
Please share this article widely.