Canterbury Metro Area Commander Superintendent Lane Todd told chrislynchmedia.com “police are in attendance of a planned protest in Christchurch today, and will continue to monitor the event.

“At this stage, 30 people have been arrested for trespassing and obstruction.

“The role of police is to ensure safety and uphold the law, while recognising the lawful right to protest.”

The protestors were shouting “stop genocide.”

Responding to questions in a press conference this morning, National Party’s Judith Collins, who was at the event, said New Zealand is very fortunate to live in a democratic country where people can protest.

“Police are handling it very well. These people protesting live in another world. But we live in a world where we are aware of the geo-political issues and tensions.

“The space industry in NZ is almost all primary civilian as well.”

In a statement posted yesterday, Peace Action Ōtautahi said they wanted people to know that there is “strong public opposition to the militarisation of space in Aotearoa”, and that they will make the message unavoidable.”

“The reliance on the U.S. military to prop up New Zealand’s aerospace sector comes at a cost to the safety, freedom, and independence of our country.”

The planned action, which will see 150+ activists blockade the centre and shut down the summit, barring figures like Judith Collins and Peter Beck from attending.

Among the protestors is  Joseph Bray, who was arrested in March after he and another man scaled the building of international weapons company NIOA in Rolleston.

Former Semi-finalist Young New Zealander of the year, Ihorangi Reweti Peters was also among the protestors.