eracode:

 

Geektastic: 

 

It's very clear that a Constable must be supervising, so presumably you can simply refuse to stop if no police are present and report an attempted hijack.

 

Sorry but that sounds very simplistic and unrealistic. Surely there will be a physical barrier placed across the road, manned by some large and intimidating people.

 

What then?

 

I think that is obvious. Call the police. Inform them that your progress on the public highway is being impeded and that your safety is threatened.

MikeB4: Given their motives I am more than happy to honour their requests.

What are their motives? I'm not sure they don't extend a bit further than just stopping covid in some cases. 

Geektastic: It's very clear that a Constable must be supervising, so presumably you can simply refuse to stop if no police are present and report an attempted hijack.

Geektastic:

 

eracode:

 

Sorry but that sounds very simplistic and unrealistic. Surely there will be a physical barrier placed across the road, manned by some large and intimidating people.

 

What then?

 

 

 

 

I think that is obvious. Call the police. Inform them that your progress on the public highway is being impeded and that your safety is threatened.

 

I have come across one road block on a public road (was a local road, not a state highway).

Was a SUV (Izuzu bighorn I think), with a trailer attached parked sideways across the road, and multiple people sitting inside the SUV.

Ultimately my reason for travel (sightseeing) wasn't worth an altercation, so I turned the car around and went back the way I came.

Filed a police report (electronically) - Police just filed it as information.

As a bigger picture thing, it is likley that the government will crush the proposed Bay of Islands restrictions at the next press conference. They have done it before in other area's of the country. Basically say that there are no travel restrictions beyond the need to be vaccinated or tested to leave Auckland once the border comes down, and they expect police will shut down any unofficial road blocks.

Geektastic:

evnafets:

 

Is it true that legislation has been enacted that allows Iwi to set up roadblocks? 

Answer:  Yes.  Under the supervision of a constable.
 https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2021/0068/latest/whole.html#LMS552333

 

 

 

It's very clear that a Constable must be supervising, so presumably you can simply refuse to stop if no police are present and report an attempted hijack.

This could turn out to be very bad law - and very divisive.

The law isn't great.

How is the public meant to know who the Commissioner recognized as a is nominated representative of an iwi organisation?

And that law only gives the ability to stop persons and vehicles "For the purpose of enforcing or monitoring compliance with a COVID-19 order that restricts movement by persons with or without vehicles".

It doesn't compel people to provide any information. Nominated representatives of Iwi organisations are only considered enforcement officers for the stopping vehicles and people subsection, not the Power to direct person to provide identifying information subsection

Geektastic:

 

I think that is obvious. Call the police. Inform them that your progress on the public highway is being impeded and that your safety is threatened.

 

So it wouldn’t be possible to “simply refuse to stop if no police are present” as you recommend.

Geektastic: Wairarapa is a bit behind on the vaccination front. Maybe we should put a roadblock on SH2.

This is the second time you have come up with this.  Wairarapa was about the 5th DHB to pass the 90% mark and currently sits on 93% of the eligible population first dose and 84% second dose with only  2692 required to meet 90%.

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-vaccine-data

I was at the Masterton Centre yesterday for my booster and the staff were saying they are staying steadily busy all day, every day.

eracode:

 

Geektastic:

 

I think that is obvious. Call the police. Inform them that your progress on the public highway is being impeded and that your safety is threatened.

 

 

So it wouldn’t be possible to “simply refuse to stop if no police are present” as you recommend.

 

There is a fundamental human right in s18(1) of NZ's  Bill of Rights o freedom of movement.  Unless that right is temporarily constrained by COVID movement restrictions, the checkpoints are flat-out illegal and in contravention of legal human rights in public spaces.

That said I think you have to think of safety at all times.  I wouldn't want to be explaining to the cops why I rammed through a barricade and endangered or injured people when I could have simply stopped and been civil.  The stupidest thing to do would be to aggravate the people on the checkpoint.  Chances are they have plenty of heavies on hand or on call.

While I understand the concept of partnership between crown and tangata whenua, the statutory devolving of authority to a group who don't have the same checks, professional standards and accountability as law enforcement agencies makes me uncomfortable. There is no Iwi Complaints Authority to take concerns too.

MikeAqua:

 

.... I wouldn't want to be explaining to the cops why I rammed through a barricade and endangered or injured people when I could have simply stopped and been civil.  The stupidest thing to do would be to aggravate the people on the checkpoint.  Chances are they have plenty of heavies on hand or on call.

 

Pretty much what I was getting at - physical barrier and heavies. It's almost certain that no-one could just 'refuse to stop' and go on through if no police are there.

They had all the time in the universe to get vaccinated and protect themselves and their community.

I wish NZ government had balls to cut financial support to these who chose to ignore protection government have offered (spent billions of dollars to promote protection and support people in need). 

P.S. looks like annual trip to Northland to spent not-many-earned-dollars from many JAFFAs would be moved to South of Taupo and SI.

kobiak:

 

They had all the time in the universe to get vaccinated and protect themselves and their community.

 

I wish NZ government had balls to cut financial support to these who chose to ignore protection government have offered (spent billions of dollars to promote protection and support people in need). 

 

Yes, it's difficult to avoid the thought that some people are opportunistically using COVID with ulterior motives to further their own agendas. 

If they are blocking off parts of the country because they dont want to catch covid and don't want to get vaccinated, then just stay home?

irpegg:

 

If they are blocking off parts of the country because they dont want to catch covid and don't want to get vaccinated, then just stay home?

 

Ah, however it's their right to go wherever they want to go - but not your right to do the same.

One of my favourite Northland campgrounds has been closed for the summer.  Maitai Bay (commonly known as Matai Bay) is 45km east of Kaitaia and is a beautiful spot.  

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/news/popular-maitai-bay-closed-for-christmas/BQHTPLJ3F2YYYHGVHKOOH4KH6Q/ 

The claim is that the campsite can be re-opened once 90% of locals get vaccinated, but I doubt this target will ever be hit in that region.  The local iwi have been weilding increasing influence over that section of DoC land and I would be far from surprised if the camp site never re-opens.  Roadblocks have been set up in pre-COVID times as well which resulted in DoC caving in to demands, but I can't find the news articles on these at present.