COVID-19: New Zealand police clash with anti-vaccine demonstrators

NewZealandanti-vaccineprotesterspeltedpolicewith a "stinging substance" sending three to hospital with injuries Tuesday, as tensions spilled over in an angry weeks-long protest.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern decried "absolutely disgraceful" scenes after the suspected acid attack, and a startling incident that saw one protester speed a car towardpolicelines before coming to a quick halt just centimetres away.

The brief but intense confrontations erupted nearNewZealand's parliament early Tuesday, aspolicemoved roadblocks used to contain a protest camp that has clogged downtown Wellington for two weeks.

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The Wellington protest began as a movement against vaccine mandates -- inspired by similar protests in the Canadian capital Ottawa.

It has since grown to around 1,500 people and encompasses a range of grievances, with some far-right messaging among the anti-government and anti-media slogans on display.

Assistant Commission Richard Chambers said three officers who were taken to hospital were "recovering well".

He blamed a "certain group within the protest" for the "appalling" attack.

"Policeofficers are going about their work as best they can to bring peace to the situation... there's a group (ofprotesters) determined to bring violence and aggression -- we can't tolerate that."

On Mondaypolicereported demonstrators hurled human faeces at them, prompting officers to protect themselves withriotshields during the latest clashes.

Ardern said she was concerned the protest was becoming increasingly violent.

"The attacks onthe policehave been absolutely disgraceful," she said.

"To anyone down there who thinks they're part of a peaceful protest, that's not what we've seen today -- I would encourage them to leave."

Authorities had been taking a largely hands-off approach to the demonstration, trying to persuadeprotestersto voluntarily move on.

But Chambers said recent events showed "genuineprotestersare no longer in control of the behaviour in and around parliament".

'Leave now'

Theprotesters, inspired by Canada's "Freedom Convoy", have jammed roads with around 900 cars, trucks and campervans, then set up camp on the lawns of parliament.

They have erected tents and shelters, and organised portable toilets, food distribution points and childcare facilities.

Wellington residents have complained about being abused byprotestersfor wearing masks, while schools and businesses close to the camp have closed.

"Wellingtonians have had enough of this," Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said.

"Our streets have been blocked, our people have been harassed, our environment has been trashed."

Robertson said those involved in the protest had crossed the line into illegal activity.

"This is a protest that has gone well beyond what I think mostNewZealanders would see as a peaceful protest -- you've made your point, please leave now," he said.

Chambers said some moderateprotestershad left because they were concerned about the behaviour of more extreme elements andpolicestill hoped for a negotiated end to the demonstration.

"We continue to work really hard with leaders among the group to de-escalate the situation and ensure everyone is safe," he said.

Watch |New Zealand police arrests 8 people as covid-19 vaccine mandate protest escalates

NewZealandauthorities have also been in contact with their counterparts in Ottawa, wherepoliceinriotgear dislodged the trucker protest over the weekend after more than three weeks.

Chambers saidpolice, who have received criticism from locals for not doing enough to stop disruption, would have a "highly visible" presence around the protest.

"Policedo not wish to interfere with lawful protest, but the behaviours we are seeing are unlawful and will result in enforcement action," he said.