Activists Scale Rolleston Building to Protest Weapons Company’s New Zealand Establishment
Wei Shao / The Press & Anti-Bases Campaign
CHRISTCHURCH (March 3, 2025) — Protesters have climbed the building of an international weapons company in Rolleston, near Christchurch, to protest its expansion into New Zealand.
Police have called in specialist negotiators to speak to protesters who climbed the Rolleston building of an international weapons company to protest its expansion into New Zealand.
Two protesters from Peace Action Ōtautahi occupied the roof of the building early on Monday, while others barricaded the entrances, using cement blocks superglued to the ground to block access.
“We are here to protest against NIOA establishing an extensive presence here in New Zealand,” Joseph Bray said.
NIOA officially opened its new Canterbury headquarters in October, marking a significant expansion after relocating from Auckland.
NIOA provides products for the defence, law enforcement, and sporting sectors, and its 1130m² Rolleston facility – which includes offices, a warehouse, and a distribution centre- is the company’s hub for operations across New Zealand.
Its decision to move from Auckland to Christchurch followed its acquisition of the former Sportways wholesaling business in 2022.
About 15 protesters in Rolleston on Monday held banners with messages such as “Arrest NIOA CEO for war crimes”, “No war profiteers in our city”, and “No weapons in the peace city”.
“They’re prepared to be there for a long time,” protester Shanti Ahluwalia said, noting the pair on the roof had chained themselves there so it would be harder to remove them.
“This protest is meant to last until they’re forcibly removed.”
Peace Action Ōtautahi, known for its strong opposition to arms manufacturers, said in a press release that the protest was in response to NIOA’s involvement in supplying weapons used in conflicts overseas.
The group claimed NIOA’s products, including sniper rifles, had been used by the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza. The protesters also raised concerns that NIOA could supply firearms to New Zealand’s police forces, increasing the risk of civilian casualties.
“We won’t allow this company to expand further into New Zealand,” Bray said. “If our Government won’t act on companies complicit in war crimes, the people will.”
A police spokesperson confirmed they are aware of the protest at a commercial premises on Stoneleigh Drive in Rolleston, where two individuals remain on the roof.
A police spokesperson confirmed they are aware of the protest at a commercial premises on Stoneleigh Drive in Rolleston, where two individuals remain on the roof.
“The people who were on the ground have moved from the immediate area surrounding the premises, however two people remain on the roof of the building,” said the spokesperson.
“Additional staff and emergency services are at the scene including Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and Police’s Public Safety Unit and Police Negotiation Team. Police are speaking with those on the roof to safely resolve the situation.”
NIOA has been approached for comment.
Murray Horton Secretary/Organiser Anti-Bases Campaign Box 2258, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand abc@chch.planet.org.nz www.converge.org.nz/abc www.facebook.com/AotearoaABC
