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Priests chain themselves to Nicola Willis' office - plan to stay all night

Author
Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date
Mon, 15 Sept 2025, 1:11pm

Priests chain themselves to Nicola Willis' office - plan to stay all night

Author
Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date
Mon, 15 Sept 2025, 1:11pm

Christian priests are planning to protest all night at Finance Minister Nicola Willis鈥 Wellington office as they call on the government to sanction the state of Israel.

Clergy members had also staged a sit-in at Health Minister Simeon Brown鈥檚 office in Pakuranga before being trespassed.

Five Anglican priests and one Catholic priest are at Willis鈥 office. They have chained themselves to each other by their wrists.

One of the protesters has secured himself to the door of the office with what appears to be a bike lock tied around their waist and linked to the door handle.

Protesters at Simeon Brown's office have shared images of themselves being walked out by police.
Protesters at Simeon Brown's office have shared images of themselves being walked out by police.

Priests protesting at Nicola Willis' office over Gaza. Photo / Ethan Manera
Priests protesting at Nicola Willis' office over Gaza. Photo / Ethan Manera

The priests say they will stay all night and fast in a bid to get the Government to make a commitment on Gaza.

鈥淲e鈥檙e fasting as well and some of us from water because that is what the people of Palestine are experiencing,鈥 said Reverend Mel McKenzie.

鈥淲e鈥檝e heard the cries over the weekend from thousands of people in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland and also just around the country in constant protests and we鈥檝e got to the pont where we are asking the government to give us a time frame in particular.鈥

A pile of blankets have been dropped off near the protesting ministers ahead of their night-long vigil.

The members of the clergy have chained themselves to Willis' office.
The members of the clergy have chained themselves to Willis' office.

Police said in a statement about the protest that a small group was prevented access to the electorate office.

鈥淣o one was trespassed or arrested.鈥

Anglican Archdeacon Martin Robinson, who is also at Willis鈥 office, said, 鈥淲e are heartbroken to watch the starvation of children and bombing of entire families in Gaza while it is clear New Zealand is not doing all it can to intervene and put pressure on Israel to uphold international law.

鈥淎s priests, we believe every child is made in the image of God. Our faith motivates us to peacefully resist injustice and to call for action that can pressure change.鈥

The sit-in at Brown's office.
The sit-in at Brown's office.

Meanwhile two Anglican priests and two Baptist pastors were at Brown鈥檚 office. Police have been photographed walking them out of the office.

Police said they served five trespass notices 鈥渙n a small group in attendance鈥.

鈥淭he group has left the building and carpark area without incident.鈥

Protesters claimed statements and travel bans were not enough from the government.

鈥淭he government鈥檚 extensive sanctions on Russia show that far more is possible,鈥 said Reverend Richard Bonifant.

鈥淪anctions helped end South African apartheid and a growing list of countries of are now using targeted sanctions to pressure the Israeli government.

鈥淲e call on Cabinet to introduce meaningful sanctions on the Israeli government without delay.鈥

The protestors at Willis' office.
The protestors at Willis' office.

Those protesting held signs that included the wording, 鈥渟anction Israel now鈥, 鈥渓ove demands actions鈥 and 鈥榮anctions speak louder than words".

The cabinet will decide today whether they will recognise Palestinian statehood, something Australia, the UK, Canada and France have said they are already planning to do.

This follows a march by 20,000 protesters in Auckland on Saturday, who were calling for government action against Israel. The demonstrators were supposed to walk across the Harbour Bridge, but had a last-minute change of route because of strong winds sparking safety concerns.

Destiny Church counter-protesters met the crowd of people on Queen St, but were quickly moved on by police.

Despite the presence of counter-protest groups, police reported no major incidents during the event.

Speeches from the rally focused on three main demands: an unconditional and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the blockade of Gaza to ensure humanitarian aid can safely enter, and for New Zealand to apply diplomatic and economic pressure on Israel, including sanctions and reconsideration of trade or defence links.

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