Extracts from regular emails from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Media team
Received 9:31am and 5:45pm 31 May 2021
Auckland Harbour Bridge cycling protest
One person arrested after Auckland Harbour Bridge protest - Manukau Courier - 30th May 2021
Huge bike rally sees two Northbound lanes closed on Auckland's Harbour Bridge - TVNZ - 30th May
2021
Cyclists close lanes on Auckland Harbour Bridge - Radio New Zealand - 30th May 2021
Two northbound lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge have reopened after they were closed by
hundreds of cycling protesters this morning.
'Lawbreaking protestors': ACT condemns Auckland biking advocates who forced Harbour Bridge lane
closures3 hours ago - Newshub - 30th May 2021
Cycling protesters close two lanes of Auckland Harbour Bridge - New Zealand Herald - 30th May
2021
Auckland motorists experienced long delays after cycling activists breached a police barrier and
crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge, forcing the closure of two northbound lanes.
Media round-up – May 31
1) Auckland Harbour Bridge cycling protest: The attached statement was sent to Stuff in
regards to the Bike Auckland organised event on Sunday, during which cyclists breeched a
police cordon to enter onto the Harbour Bridge forcing the closure of two lanes. The same
statement was also sent to TVNZ, Newshub, NewstalkZB and Landscape Aoteroa.
Brett Gliddon, Waka Kotahi General Manger of Transport Services also provided an interview
to Checkpoint with Lisa Owen.
The below statement was sent to TVNZ regarding questions around an alert issued in error
on Auckland Transport’s weekend about road closures on the Harbour Bridge.
“Waka Kotahi worked with Police and Auckland Transport ahead of Sunday’s event to make
sure preparations were in place to ensure the safety of road users and our staff should there
be any disruptions on the wider Auckland transport network ahead. While no permit had been
given for people to cross the Harbour Bridge on bike or by foot, nor had we been told people
would cross, this did include logistical plans to be able to close the Auckland Harbour Bridge
in preparation for all eventualities.
Our ability to mitigate and prevent incidents across the network is greatly enhanced when we
work collaboratively with our key partners to share pertinent information and put logistical
plans in place.
This is standard procedure for any event which has the potential to affect the operation of the
transport network, including state highways, local roads and public transport.
under the Official Information Act 1982
There was a system error that occurred which caused an alert to be mistakenly issued on the
Auckland Transport website, which was removed afterwards. Auckland Transport has no
jurisdiction over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and as such any official messages will always
come directly from Waka Kotahi.
Two northbound lanes were forced to close as police facilitated a group of cyclists who
breeched police cordons in order to cross over the bridge. When notified of the pedestrian
activity on the Current St on-ramp which leads to the Auckland Harbour Bridge, Waka Kotahi
traffic managers acted quickly in a live traffic environment to close the lanes to create a safe
Released
environment and maintain the remaining two northbound lanes.”
