Police response to flotilla protest

New Zealand Police respect an individual or group's lawful right to protest, but will always step in if safety is compromised.

Our responsibility is to ensure the safety and lawful conduct of all parties, not to stop protest activity for the sake of it.

Charges laid over the weekend against a man on one of the protest boats off the East Cape followed him repeatedly ignoring safety instructions.

Police National Operations Manager Superintendent Barry Taylor says the police role is one of monitoring the flotilla protests to ensure the rights of all parties are upheld, and that is what we are continuing to do.

"Talk that police are planning possible action against others associated with the protest is pure speculation", he says.