Clergy protests over Gaza and Palestine

The story so far

Willis described the protesters as intimidating to others visiting her office.^{16 Sep 2025} In late September, Christian leaders held a prayerful sit-in outside Education Minister Erica Stanford's Auckland electorate office over the government's decision not to recognise Palestinian statehood.^{29 Sep 2025} Four clergy then chained themselves to Stanford's electorate office in Browns Bay, protesting the government's stance on Gaza and Palestinian statehood.^{29 Sep 2025}

Latest

Four clergy have chained themselves to Erica Stanford's Browns Bay electorate office. They say they will stay until they are granted an audience with the minister.^{29 Sep 2025}

Key moments

1. 15 Sep 2025Clergy begin sit-ins at ministers' offices in Wellington and Auckland.
2. 15 Sep 2025Police serve five trespass notices after Pakuranga office protest ends without incident.
3. 16 Sep 2025Six priests end 32-hour chained protest outside Willis's Wellington office.
4. 16 Sep 2025Willis says protesters were intimidating to visitors to her office.
5. 29 Sep 2025Christian leaders hold prayerful sit-in at Stanford's Auckland electorate office.
6. 29 Sep 2025Four clergy chain themselves to Stanford's Browns Bay office, vowing to stay.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.