Auckland road users are being warned of "significant disruption" tomorrow as thousands of protesters are expected to march over the Harbour Bridge in support of Gaza.
The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said the Auckland Harbour Bridge would be fully closed to traffic southbound between Esmonde Rd and Fanshawe St from 9am tomorrow for "a number of hours".
Protesters will be gathering at Onepoto Domain, on the North Shore at around 9am before travelling south towards Victoria Park in central Auckland.
"A full closure of southbound lanes is required to ensure the separation of vehicles and pedestrians for safety," NZTA said.
Police were leading the operational planning and response to the protest.
Relieving Waitematā District Commander Inspector Stefan Sagar advised motorists to adhere to NZTA advice and use detours, including SH16 and 18, if possible.
"Our role concerns ensuring any protest activity is safe and lawful," he said.
"Large numbers of pedestrians accessing the Harbour Bridge pose significant safety risks to themselves, our police staff, and other motorists. Weather may also pose safety risks to pedestrians in that area."
Sagar said police would deploy "significant resource to the operation and will be highly visible across the area".
"We understand that this will cause disruption to the public’s travel," he said.
NZTA and AT will be supporting police to facilitate safety and manage the impact on the surrounding transport network.
"With significant disruption also expected for the surrounding transport network, NZTA and AT are urging people to check the latest information before travelling in the city.
"In particular, if you are travelling southbound into the city on Saturday, we recommend you plan ahead to avoid the bridge or consider delaying your journey if you can."
NZTA said heavy congestion and delays were expected on both sides of the bridge as well as other state highways and local roads.
March for Humanity spokesperson Nadine Mortaja told Breakfast huge numbers of people were expected at tomorrow's event, which would also call for sanctions on Israel.
"After seeing Sydney and Brisbane, the amount of people that showed up there were tens of thousands, so I think we are expecting a very big amount of people to show up. We know people that are coming from Australia, coming from Hamilton and Christchurch and Wellington, so a lot of people are going to show up for the March for Humanity."
She said people realise the situation in Gaza was "desperate".
"We want that message to be heard loud and clear," she said.
It followed similar protest action in Australia, in which thousands marched across the country in a show of support for the Palestinian cause.
Mortaja said the scenes overseas gave her “goosebumps”.
“The people have spoken,” she said. "The people in Aotearoa will send a strong message by marching on the Harbour Bridge tomorrow."
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