The atmosphere was festive on Friday in the makeshift camp nicknamed the "Freedom Camp" by its occupants, with music and dancing, in front of a police who watched from afar.
These scenes contrast sharply with those of Thursday, when the police had tried to evacuate the demonstrators, arresting 122 people and using pepper spray.
Wellington police took advantage of this non-intervention tactic as a "measured approach", highlighting the presence of children in the crowd.
"The police will continue to monitor and contain the protest on the grounds of parliament," said Wellington Police Commander Corrie Parnell.
"Police have identified a range of different causes and motivations among protesters, making it difficult to open clear and serious lines of communication."
Protesters have camped out in the aisles of parliament for four days in a movement that began on Tuesday, largely inspired by the "Freedom Convoys" of Canadian truckers in Ottawa.
Demonstrating outside the New Zealand parliament in Wellington on February 11, 2022 Marty MELVILLE AFP
The parliament grounds were declared closed to the public but the decision was ignored and the number of protesters rose from around 250 to almost 1,500 on Friday.
Carrie, a protester who refuses to give her last name, explained that the movement was determined to pursue its objective: the end of the vaccination obligation.
"The way the police are treating us has shocked us all beyond measure," she told AFP.
"What they did yesterday was way beyond what anyone could have expected. It was brutal, really brutal."
New Zealand mandates vaccination against Covid-19 for people working in certain sectors such as health, law enforcement, education and defence.
Those who refuse risk being fired.
A vaccination certificate must also be presented in restaurants, sporting events and religious services.
© 2022 AFP