Auckland (The NZ Today)
Police were deployed across central Auckland on Saturday as a Destiny Church rally unfolded close to the city’s major Diwali celebrations.
Tens of thousands of people were expected around Aotea Square for the annual Festival of Lights, while a few hundred Destiny Church supporters gathered about a kilometre away at Te Komititanga Square.
Police maintained a visible presence between the two events amid concerns the church group could move towards the Diwali festival.
Officers formed a line across Queen Street near Wyndham Street as the Destiny supporters began a short march through the CBD.
The group instead headed to the Consulate General of India, where a letter addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was placed on the entrance doors.
After the group dispersed, police reopened the section of road that had been temporarily closed.
A separate, smaller demonstration was also taking place nearby, with participants carrying Palestinian and Iranian flags and drawing attention to civilian suffering linked to conflict in the Middle East.
Despite the concentration of multiple gatherings within a small part of the city centre, there were no immediate reports of major disorder.
The Diwali festival continued around Aotea Square, celebrating the traditional theme of light overcoming darkness and good prevailing over evil.
Source: RNZ
