20,000 join pro-Palestine protest in New Zealand calling for ceasefire
3 Min Read
Around 20,000 people joined a pro-Palestine march in Auckland, New Zealand, demanding a Gaza ceasefire, an end to the blockade, and sanctions on “Israel.”
-
Screengrab of video documenting pro-Palestine protesters marching through Auckland on September 13, 2025 (X/ @KiwiCraig74)
Chants echoed across central Auckland on Saturday as an estimated 20,000 demonstrators joined one of the largest pro-Palestine protests in New Zealand, demanding action against “Israel” and calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Organizers said a last-minute route change, after safety concerns led to the cancellation of plans to march across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, did not deter thousands who filled Queen Street with Palestinian flags and placards reading “Ceasefire now” and “End the occupation.”
The march began in Aotea Square, where families, students, and longtime activists gathered under a sea of red, green, black, and white flags. Demonstrators paused at intersections for speeches, chants, and moments of silence honoring civilian lives lost in Gaza.
Read more: New Zealand MP booted from parliament amid debate on Palestinian state
Children perched on shoulders, and, at times, the crowd erupted into spontaneous applause as they pressed their demands:
- An immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
- An end to the blockade to ensure humanitarian aid.
- Diplomatic and economic sanctions against “Israel,” including a review of New Zealand’s trade and defense ties.
- Counter-Protests and Police Presence
The march was briefly confronted by counter-demonstrators from Destiny Church, chanting “Free the hostages” and “Down with Hamas.” Police quickly moved them aside, at times forming human barriers to keep tensions from escalating. Authorities later confirmed no major incidents occurred.
As far as the eye can see pic.twitter.com/emM0Z4Brjt
— Craig (@KiwiCraig74) September 12, 2025
Organizers call for solidarity with Palestine
Aotearoa for Palestine spokesperson Nadine Mortaja, who organized and addressed the rally, said the scale of the protest showed growing public anger and unity. “Community safety is paramount, and so too is our collective voice for justice,” she said.
“People have travelled from across Aotearoa to join this historic protest,” Mortaja added, calling it a pivotal moment for New Zealand’s solidarity movement with Palestine.
The march concluded in Victoria Park with speeches and renewed chants, as organizers pledged continued mobilization. Plans include another attempt to march across the Harbour Bridge if safety conditions allow.
“This movement will not fade when the cameras leave,” one speaker declared. “We will be back, again and again, until our demands are met.”
The Auckland rally followed similar large-scale pro-Palestine demonstrations in Australia last month, where tens of thousands marched across bridges in Sydney and Brisbane.
With 20,000 people taking to the streets, the Auckland march highlighted New Zealand’s growing solidarity with Palestine and the global demand for a Gaza ceasefire. Protesters vowed their movement would continue until their calls for justice are heard.
