New Zealand police dismantle tents, tow vehicles to clear anti-vaccine protests

FILE PHOTO: Protesters against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions and vaccine mandates gather as they camp in front of the parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, February 14, 2022. REUTERS/Praveen Menon

WELLINGTON (Reuters) -Clashes erupted between New Zealand police and anti-vaccine mandate protesters on Wednesday as officers, armed with riot shields, towed away vehicles and dismantled tents set up outside the country's parliament grounds.

Taking inspiration from truckers' demonstrations in Canada, hundreds of protesters have been blocking streets near the parliament in capital Wellington with trucks, cars and motorcycles for more than three weeks.