10 Apr 2021

School Strike 4 Climate returns after Covid-19: In photos

10:22 am on 10 April 2021

The first School Strike 4 Climate protest since Covid-19 hit saw thousands across New Zealand marching to the halls of power demanding action on climate change.

RNZ was there to capture in images the efforts of protesters, led largely by secondary school students, to force decision makers to curb the warming of the planet.

Students from Grey Lynn School, and their supporters.

Students from Grey Lynn School, and their supporters. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

Wellington students protesting for climate change action at Civic Square.

Wellington students protesting for climate change action at Civic Square. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

Sophie, a teacher, age 28.

Sophie, a teacher, age 28. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

Protestors enjoying the Natural Pirate Band's tunes in Christchurch.

Protestors enjoying the Natural Pirate Band's tunes in Christchurch. Photo: RNZ / Hugo Cameron

Crowds for the School Strike 4 Climate march in Wellington begin to grow in Civic Square.

Crowds for the School Strike 4 Climate march in Wellington begin to grow in Civic Square. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

Wellington climate march organiser Izzy Cook.

Wellington climate march organiser Izzy Cook. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

We Didn't Start The Fire playing from the truck in Auckland as flags go up.

We Didn't Start The Fire playing from the truck in Auckland as flags go up. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

The crowd at the Auckland march.

The crowd at the Auckland march. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

Annie Whitla and partner Soren O'Neil are at Christchurch's march to show support for young people.

Annie Whitla and partner Soren O'Neil are at Christchurch's march to show support for young people. Photo: RNZ / Rachel Graham

Christchurch protesters seeking support from passing motorists.

Christchurch protesters seeking support from passing motorists. Photo: RNZ / Rachel Graham

Climate strike organiser in Auckland, Jack Barlow, age 16.

Climate strike organiser in Auckland, Jack Barlow, age 16. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

The climate strike advances from Cathedral Square towards Colombo Street in Christchurch.

The climate strike advances from Cathedral Square towards Colombo Street in Christchurch. Photo: RNZ / Hugo Cameron

River, 13 years old, Christchurch.

River, 13 years old, Christchurch. Photo: RNZ / Hugo Cameron

Signs visible as the crowd marches in Auckland.

Signs visible as the crowd marches in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

Climate strike organiser in Auckland, Christina Sieberhagen, age 15.

Climate strike organiser in Auckland, Christina Sieberhagen, age 15. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

Organiser Jack Barlow thanks the crowd in Auckland for solidarity with young people.

Organiser Jack Barlow thanks the crowd in Auckland for solidarity with young people. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

Extinction Rebellion join the Auckland crowd.

Extinction Rebellion join the Auckland crowd. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

A sign reading 'the future is in our hands' at the Auckland march.

A sign reading 'the future is in our hands' at the Auckland march. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

Auckland protesters listening intently to guest speakers.

Auckland protesters listening intently to guest speakers. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

Anna Babington, 14, is out protesting in Christchurch to protect her future grandchildren.

Anna Babington, 14, is out protesting in Christchurch to protect her future grandchildren. Photo: RNZ / Rachel Graham

Chants of "Climate action,  NOW" resound at the Auckland march.

Chants of "Climate action, NOW" resound at the Auckland march. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

Marching about to commence at the School Strike 4 Climate in Auckland.

Marching about to commence at the School Strike 4 Climate in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

Police clear Queen Street for the climate strikers.

Police clear Queen Street for the climate strikers. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

Students part of a 3000 to 4000-strong crowd in Wellington arrive at Parliament.

Students part of a 3000 to 4000-strong crowd in Wellington arrive at Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

Climate marchers at Parliament in Wellington.

Climate marchers at Parliament in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

Protesters outside the council building in Christchurch chant "Mayor Dalziel" and "where's our mayor?" Councillors attempted to speak, but were drowned out by the crowd calling for the mayor.

Protesters outside the council building in Christchurch chant "Mayor Dalziel" and "where's our mayor?" Councillors attempted to speak, but were drowned out by the crowd calling for the mayor. Photo: RNZ / Hugo Cameron

University student Olivia Yates at the Auckland march.

University student Olivia Yates at the Auckland march. Photo: RNZ / Kate Gregan

Christchurch protesters speak to the mayor, demanding climate action.

Christchurch protesters speak to the mayor, demanding climate action. Photo: RNZ / Rachel Graham

Fleur Harris, 11, and Nela Hammer, 10, protesting in Christchurch.

Fleur Harris, 11, and Nela Hammer, 10, protesting in Christchurch. Photo: RNZ / Rachel Graham

The Auckland procession passing through Queen and Victoria Streets.

The Auckland procession passing through Queen and Victoria Streets. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

More signs in the crowd in Auckland.

More signs in the crowd in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

Demands are delivered to Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel. As she says change is needed, there are calls of "what are you going to do" from the crowd.

Demands are delivered to Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel. As she says change is needed, there are calls of "what are you going to do" from the crowd. Photo: RNZ / Hugo Cameron

Another sign at the Auckland march.

Another sign at the Auckland march. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel responds to climate strikers' demands, saying they are important and change requires work from everyone. The mayor says young people should make submissions to Environment Canterbury (the regional council)'s long term plan.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel responds to climate strikers' demands, saying they are important and change requires work from everyone. The mayor says young people should make submissions to Environment Canterbury (the regional council)'s long term plan. Photo: RNZ / Hugo Cameron

In Auckland there are chants of "people power", and "climate change has got to go, hey hey, ho ho", as the march gets under way.

In Auckland there are chants of "people power", and "climate change has got to go, hey hey, ho ho", as the march gets under way. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

The Auckland march continues along Queen Street.

The Auckland march continues along Queen Street. Photo: RNZ / Carmina Blewett

Christchurch march organisers speak face-to-face with mayor Lianne Dalziel.

Christchurch march organisers speak face-to-face with mayor Lianne Dalziel. Photo: RNZ / Hugo Cameron

Green Party MPs Eugenie Sage, Julie Anne Genter, with co-leader and Climate Minister James Shaw, and co-leader Marama Davidson, at the steps of Parliament to hear from the gathered climate change protesters.

Green Party MPs Eugenie Sage, Julie Anne Genter, with co-leader and Climate Minister James Shaw, and co-leader Marama Davidson, at the steps of Parliament to hear from the gathered climate change protesters. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

The Christchurch march comes to an end after a fiery confrontation with the mayor.

The Christchurch march comes to an end after a fiery confrontation with the mayor. An organiser tells the crowd this needs to be the beginning of their activism, not the end. Photo: RNZ / Hugo Cameron

Green Party MPs Eugenie Sage, Julie Anne Genter, with co-leader and Climate Minister James Shaw, and co-leader Marama Davidson, at the steps of Parliament to hear from the gathered climate change protesters.

Green Party MPs. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

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