On Saturday, an estimated 20,000 people from all over New Zealand gathered in Aotea Square in Auckland as part of the "March for Humanity" protest organised by Aotearoa for Palestine.
Protesters made their way from the square to Victoria Park and called for New Zealand government sanctions on Israel for its actions in Gaza.
About 20 people from Dunedin made the trip to Auckland for the march.
One of the attendees, Dunedin Justice for Palestine organiser Rinad Tamimi, said while the walk was hard, it was "the least" she could do.
"I think we all needed to feel the solidarity around us ... being surrounded by thousands, basically looking and all feeling the same. It felt amazing to be together."
She said anywhere in New Zealand you could think of was represented and had people who made the time to attend.
Ms Tamimi and her young daughter managed to get a spot near the front, and assumed by the time they reached Victoria Park, there were still people waiting to start walking in Aotea Square.
She got to the square at 9am, started marching at about 9.30am, and did not reach Victoria Park until 12.30pm.
"It was very, very crowded. It was hard to move, especially at the start, but we soon we found our way."
While they had big numbers turn up to marches in Dunedin, being part of something so large in Auckland was "very special".
"At the end of the day, it’s the least we could all be doing for Palestine at the moment.
"Palestinians matter and what is happening in Palestine must stop — our government needs to put sanctions on Israel."
Organisers originally intended to march over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. However, strong winds forced a change in course.
The large wave of people who made their way through the city, waving Palestine flags and slogans reading "don’t normalise genocide" and "grow a spine, stand with Palestine", was followed by counter-protesters.
At the back of the protest, police provided a human barrier separating marchers from a group of counter-protesters chanting "free the hostages" and "down with Hamas".
Police said just before 2pm protesters had started dispersing, and they continued to monitor those who remained gathered.
They said there were no major issues during the protest action.
In addition to their key demand for New Zealand to sanction Israel, organisers were calling for an immediate unconditional ceasefire; and an immediate end to the blockade and reinstatement of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) to allow lifesaving aid to safely enter Gaza. — Additional reporting RNZ
