Streets surrounding the Parliament precinct have been locked down, fences have been erected and police staff are out in force ahead of a Freedoms and Rights Coalition NZ protest.
The scenes around the capital are similar to those seen in February last year during the 23-day occupation of Parliament's grounds.
Surrounding roads have been closed and fences have been erected around the perimeter of Parliament.
At 11:59pm on Tuesday, Wellington District police shut down multiple streets surrounding the Parliament, which aren't expected to reopen until 12:01am on Friday.
Road closures:
- Hill Street closed between Molesworth/Aitken Streets and Guildford Terrace
- Kate Sheppard Place closed
- Lambton Quay / Bowen Street intersection and Bunny Street near the bus depot restricted to buses only.
Acting Superintendent Wade Jennings urged commuters in the capital to plan ahead on Thursday and to expect "disruption to normal traffic".
"The school holiday period provides some relief from usual traffic flows and police staff will be highly visible around the area."
Protesters will march from Civic Square then head along Mercer St, Willis St and Lambton Quay as they make their way to Parliament.
Wellington City Council said cars may be included in the march to parliament, but will need to go another route, towards Victoria St, Dixon St and Willis St.
Why the protest?
The Freedoms and Rights Coalition NZ are leading their 'Campaign of Courage' supporters in a convoy across the motu, with their destination being the capital on Thursday morning.
On Tuesday, organisers of the protest told Newshub other freedom groups will join their action, including the Truckers Convoy.
Their protest 'Abandon Agenda 2030' has seen parliamentary security urge staff to stay home and forced the United Nations Assocation New Zealand (UNA-NZ), who they are protesting, to move their conference online.
In a press release on the Freedoms and Rights Coalition NZ's website, it said they are voicing "their disagreement with Agenda 2030, as the UNA-NZ are still plotting and scheming on this day, albeit hiding away behind closed doors".
The group are calling for Aotearoa to "break free from Agenda 2030's influence over our government and nation".
What is UNA-NZ and Agenda 2030?
The UNA-NZ say they are a national community organisation and registered charity. Its President Karim Dickie said its goal is to help Kiwis understand the UN and "promote engagement with the United Nations System".
Agenda 2030 is the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goal which outlines a universal agenda, for countries who have signed up, to "achieve sustainable development globally".
Some of the goals include ending all poverty, reducing inequity within and among communities and taking urgent action to combat climate change.
Dickie added the goals are not legally binding, saying countries are "expected to report voluntarily on implementation".
Counter protest
Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition says it will stage a counter-protest.
"Show your love for an inclusive and just community," read a poster shared on its Facebook page.
Spokesperson for the group Serah Allison told Newshub the group's protest will be near Parliament at the Law School on Bowen St and Lambton Quay but won't be engaging with the Freedoms and Rights Coalition.
"We're making it clear that there is opposition to their conspiracy theories and sort of anti-health care messaging."
Allison added the group "stands against conspiracy theories and we stand up for democratic processes".
