Local Government Act 2002, s 155(3)New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, ss 5, 16WCC 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 by-laws may require you to give notice of your march, protest, or other event. For example, Wellington City Council’s by-laws say you’ll need to get council permission if your event will affect vehicle or pedestrian traffic. To find out the rules in your area, you can contact your local council or check their website.

It may take some time for a local council to process your application, so it is wise to apply as early as you can. They may also require further information or planning, like health and safety or traffic and pedestrian management plans.

Council by-laws requiring you to give notice or receive permission may, in some cases, not be legally enforceable. This is because they are only valid if they are a reasonable limitation on your right to freedom of peaceful assembly that is demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. The Local Government Act 2002 specifically bars councils from making by-laws that are inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.

Parliament Act 2025, ss 56, 57

There are some basic rules and expectations for those wanting to protest in the grounds of Parliament House in Wellington, including that:

• protests may only be held during daylight (this means overnights protests are not allowed),
• tents and other structures may not be erected and vehicles may not be brought into Parliament’s grounds,
• participants must enter and leave in an orderly manner via pedestrian paths in order not to damage lawns and gardens or block vehicles,
• participants must not go up the main steps or stop people entering or leaving Parliament House,
• food may not be sold within the grounds of Parliament, and
• amplification may only be used for speeches and must be at a reasonable volume and aimed away from Parliament House.

While giving notification is not absolutely required, if you are organising a protests in the grounds of Parliament House, you are encouraged to contact the Speaker’s Office by letter or email (Office of the Speaker, Parliament Buildings, Private Bag 18041, Wellington 6160; speakers.office@parliament.govt.nz)

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is responsible for control and administration of the parliamentary precinct and can exercise powers under the Trespass Act 1980. If the Speaker or someone representing the Speaker gives you a verbal or written warning to leave Parliament’s grounds, you must leave. You may be prosecuted if you fail to do so.

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

Victoria University of Wellington – Security Policy

At Victoria University of Wellington, protests are covered under clause 3.3 of the University’s Security Policy. There are restricted sites that protesters will not be permitted to occupy under any circumstances, including laboratories and cash-handling sites. Any occupation of these sites will result in immediate notification of trespass, a warning to leave and subsequent removal if the protestors neglect or refuse to do so.

Otago University – University Campus and Premises Regulations 2014 Otago University – Traffic and Parking Regulations 2019

Otago University regulates protest through a number of separate regulations. For example, the University Campus and Premises Regulations state that “the posting of notices and writing slogans and messages” can only be done in places and ways set by the University. The 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.”

The regulations and policies of all New Zealand universities are available online. You may need to spend some time searching through them to find which of them are relevant to on-campus protests.

• Auckland University of Technology
• Lincoln University
• Massey University
• University of Auckland
• University of Canterbury
• University of Otago
• University of Waikato
• Victoria University of Wellington