Traffic: Delays expected in Auckland as Black Lives Matter protest takes over Queen St

People heading into central Auckland on Sunday should expect delays and road closures. 

A Black Lives Matter rally will see Queen St closed between Wakefield St and Customs St from midday until possibly 5pm. 

Customs St will be closed between Lower Albert St and Commerce St and several bus services will be diverted. 

Several thousand people attended the first Black Lives Matter march in central Auckland two weeks ago, raising fears of a new COVID-19 outbreak that so far hasn't eventuated.

More than 7000 people have registered their interest in attending Sunday's march on its Facebook page.

Organisers say they'll be enforcing social distancing this time around, even though New Zealand hasn't had a new case of the disease in three weeks. Protesters are also being asked to wear face masks.

"As we’re New Zealand based we can't do anything but watch from afar via media outlets," the Facebook page reads. "We're organising this because what's going on is absolutely not right and we wish for justice to be served."

The police's recently dumped Armed Response Teams will also be a focus of the local march.

Meanwhile, Eden Park's sell-out crowd will create congestion before and after the Super Rugby match at 3:35pm.

Auckland Council is urging fans to take public transport where possible.

"Travel on trains, regular and special event buses to and from Eden Park is included with your match ticket."

A big crowd is expected for the city's first match in months, following the coronavirus lockdown.

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