February, two convoys of vehicles carrying anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine mandate protesters travelled from Cape Reinga in the North Island and Bluff in the South Island to Wellington. The Convoy 2022 protesters converged outside the New Zealand Parliament in Wellington. The South Island convoy was led by co-organiser Derek Broomhall. The convoy protest was inspired by the Canadian Freedom Convoy that converged in Ottawa on 22 January 2022 to protest the Canadian Government's vaccine mandate and COVID-19 measures. The Convoy 2022 protesters were motivated by various issues including opposition to vaccine mandates, restrictions on the unvaccinated, vaccine disinformation, COVID-19 conspiracy theories, allegations of mainstream media bias, and other domestic issues such as resentment towards Māori tribal groups for allegedly "selling out" and the planned closure of the Marsden Point Oil Refinery. On 2 March, a riot broke out at the Parliament grounds. After police tried to break up the Convoy 2022 camp, the protesters decided to light the camp on fire. The flames spread out and destroyed several objects, including a children's playground. Demonstrators fired objects (including rocks, bricks, and paint bombs) at police officers. Riot police arrested 38 people and pulled down several tents. 23 February Voices for Freedom protesters picketed Prime Minister Ardern's visit to Westport. Anti-vaccine mandate Protesters hurled abuse at Ardern and journalists. 24 February 50 anti-vaccine mandate protesters picketed Tuahiwi School in the Canterbury region during Ardern's visit, interrupting her meeting with students and staff. The protesters' actions were criticised by local Māori leaders from Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga. March Out These Mandates On 24 February, The Freedoms & Rights Coalition announced that they would be launching a "March Out These Mandates" campaign to oppose the Government's vaccine mandates. As part of the protest, the group planned to march across the Auckland Harbour Bridge on 26 February. Similar protests were also planned in Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch. The Coalition's leader Brian Tamaki claimed these protests were "peaceful, family-friendly" events that were intended to make a statement at significant landmarks. In response to the planned Auckland Harbour protest, Police sought to engage with organisers not to use the Harbour Bridge for their protest while advising motorists to use the alternative State Highway 16/State Highway 20 link. Thousands of protesters gathered at Onepoto Domain on the north end of the bridge before marching on the southbound lane. The TFRC's march across the Auckland Harbour Bridge led