Much ado about nothing

Police and firefighters talk to protesters in the Octagon yesterday morning after being called shortly before 8am to reports of a fire under a gazebo in Dunedin’s city centre.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said the fire was contained in a brazier and firefighters who arrived at the scene were not required to do anything.

A police spokeswoman said that police continued to monitor the protest alongside the Dunedin City Council.

There had been no arrests at this stage, the spokeswoman said.

Police did not respond to questions yesterday about whether the protest was illegal nor if police had plans to move the protesters on at any point.