Into the abyss
New Zealand Listener|October 29, 2022
Anew local documentary claims that hundreds of thousands of Kiwis have been sucked into a vortex of disinformation.
DANYL MAUCHLAN
Into the abyss

Many of the protesters were hippies who thought the vaccine was a plot by international drug companies. Others were Maori activists for whom the government’s Covid response was a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Tokoroa chapter of the Mongrel Mob were there, along with several evangelical churches whose members could often be seen kneeling and praying and speaking in tongues.

The Hare Krishnas were there serving vegetarian food and teaching yoga. There were farmers, Instagram influencers, rough sleepers, QAnon activists. All these groups combined and occupied the lawns and forecourt of Wellington’s Parliament grounds last February.

They set up tents, filled the surrounding streets with camper vans, built makeshift showers and public toilets, tore up the sprinkler system when Parliament’s Speaker, Trevor Mallard, turned it onto try to evict them. There was a massage gazebo. Free food. Live bands. A perpetual haze of cannabis smoke hung over the encampment.

They talked about love and freedom and democracy and they burnt their political enemies in effigy, attacked journalists, threw eggs at passing schoolchildren, slung nooses over the trees.

After 24 days, the police evicted them and this turned into a riot. Eighty-seven people were arrested. Forty cops were injured. The protesters set fire to the playground, threw tents and gas canisters onto the blaze and some tried to burn down the Victoria University Law School across the road.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW ZEALAND LISTENERView all
First-world problem
New Zealand Listener

First-world problem

Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Applying intelligence to AI
New Zealand Listener

Applying intelligence to AI

I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Nazism rears its head
New Zealand Listener

Nazism rears its head

Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Staying ahead of the game
New Zealand Listener

Staying ahead of the game

Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Grasping the nettle
New Zealand Listener

Grasping the nettle

Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Hangry? Eat breakfast
New Zealand Listener

Hangry? Eat breakfast

People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Chemical reaction
New Zealand Listener

Chemical reaction

Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Me and my guitar
New Zealand Listener

Me and my guitar

Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Time is on my side
New Zealand Listener

Time is on my side

Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?

time-read
7 mins  |
September 9, 2024
The kids are not alright
New Zealand Listener

The kids are not alright

Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024