WCC Public Places Bylaw 2022, Part C, clause 18

Whether you need permission for your protest and who you need to ask depends on where you intend to protest, including what part of the country you’re in. It also depends on things like the method of protest, the number of people likely to be involved, and the time it will be happening.

Local council bylaws may require you to give notice of your march, protest, or other event. For example, Wellington City Council’s bylaws say you’ll need to get council permission if your event will affect vehicle or pedestrian traffic.

How long it takes for the Council to process your application will vary depending on the factors involved, so make sure you apply as early as you can. They may also require further information or planning, like health and safety or traffic and pedestrian management plans.

If you want to hold a protest on parliament grounds, you need to get permission from the Speaker of the House of Representatives:

• Email: speakers.office@parliament.govt.nz, or
• Write to: Office of the Speaker, Parliament Buildings, Private Bag 18041, Wellington 6160.

Different universities regulate protests in different ways. To find out your university’s approach, start by checking the university policies published on its website.

VUW Security Policy

At Victoria University of Wellington, for example, protests are covered under clause 3.3 of the University’s Security Policy– this says, there are restricted sites that protesters will not be permitted to occupy under any circumstances. Any occupation of those sites will result in immediate notification of trespass, a warning to leave and subsequent removal if the protestors neglect or refuse to do so. Go to www.wgtn.ac.nz and search for “security policy”.

(Otago) University Campus and Premises Regulations 2014 (Otago) Traffic and Parking Regulations 2019

Otago University has relevant rules in different University regulations – for instance its University Campus and Premises Regulations say that “the posting of notices and writing slogans and messages” can only be done in places and ways set by the University, while its Traffic and Parking Regulations confirm that the University is a public place and so New Zealand’s traffic laws and regulations will apply there.

Student Charter (Otago)

Student Charters may also include relevant rights and responsibilities when organising a protest. For example, the Otago student charter says students are expected to “promote an environment which is safe and free from harassment and discrimination,” and to “respect both University and private property.”