Protesters block lane of SH1 at Wellington’s Terrace Tunnel

Protesters blocked the southbound of lane State Highway 1 at the Terrace Tunnel in Wellington Photo: Protesters blocked the southbound of lane State Highway 1 at the Terrace Tunnel in Wellington. Several of the six protesters sat on the motorway at the tunnel entrance with a sign reading ‘Restore Passenger Rail’.

Police removed two protesters who had glued their hands to the road as they arrested four demonstrators.

Police removing two protesters who glued their hands to the soutbound lanes of the motorway at the Terrace Tunnel, Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman Motorists and contractors pleaded with the activists to let them pass. RNZ’s reporter at the scene said some commuters were angry about the delay.

Northbound lanes near the tunnel had also been partially blocked, and police and Waka Kotahi had advised motorists to avoid the area.

Southbound traffic backing up during the protest, while northbound traffic was also moving slowly. Photo: Waka Kotahi NZTA Wellington

The last of the activists was removed from the road just before 9am and the motorway reopened.

The Restore Passenger Rail group pledged to continue to take action until the government makes a commitment to restore a nationwide passenger rail network.

Several protesters sat on the motorway. Photo:

A line of traffic at the entrance to the motorway tunnel. Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman