Jacinda Ardern has slammed protestors for throwing human poo at police officers.
The demonstrators were part of the huge occupation in the nation's capital against vaccine mandates.
There has been a large group of people who have gathered outside Parliament House in Wellington after being inspired by similar movements in Canberra and Canada.
Advert
People have driven trucks, cars and motorcycles to the capital to convince the government to scrap vaccine mandates.
The protest has since also attracted people who are opposed to Ms Ardern's government.
Police swooped in on the region at 3:30am to try and dismantle the occupation and that's when things got heated.
Hundreds of cops installed concrete barriers that are designed to stop any more vehicles from driving into the region.
Advert
Eight people were arrested, with seven being taken into custody over 'disorderly behaviour' and one for 'obstruction'.
Wellington Mayor Andy Foster backed the police operation and said the early morning tactic was designed to have the smallest impact on the community.
"Pretty much any time of the day is going to have a disruptive effect on the city, obviously from the point of view of being able to get [the blocks] in there while people are asleep in the protest camp - obviously that gives an advantage operationally," he said.
"But it's also less inconvenient to the city."
Advert
The New Zealand Prime Minister was horrified when she heard human faeces was thrown at authorities during the operation.
“No one should have to face having human waste thrown at them when they are just trying to keep people safe,” she said.
“The protesters have made their point, it is time for them to leave.”
Advert
Ms Ardern added that while the restrictions are difficult at the moment, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel eventually.
“We all want to go back to the way life was. And we will, I suspect sooner than you think,” she said.
“But when that happens, it will be because easing restrictions won’t compromise the lives of thousands of people – not because you demanded it."
Police have tried other tactics to get rid of the protestors, which included blasting Barry Manilow, James Blunt and the 'Macarena' from loud speakers on a 15-minute loop.
Advert
The demonstrators responded to playing Twisted Sister's 'We're Not Gonna Take It'.
The Associated Press reports, authorities also turned on the region's water sprinklers in an effort to affect the people who had set up tents, however they hit back by diverting the water.
Featured Image Credit: Kay Nietfeld/dpaTopics: News