Thousands protest Trump as 'sister marches' begin in Australia and New Zealand

Participants of a rally regarding women's rights hold placards as they march in Wellington, New Zealand, January 21, 2017 the day after Donald Trump's inauguration as President of the United States. Joshua Gimblett/Handout via REUTERS

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Thousands of protesters in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday joined the first of hundreds of womens' marches organised around the world in a show of disapproval of U.S. President Donald Trump as he began his first day in office.

In Sydney, Australia's biggest city, about 3,000 people - men and women gathered for a rally in Hyde Park before marching on the U.S. consulate downtown, while organisers said 5,000 people rallied in Melbourne.