More than 1,000 copies of the new book Heart of the Protest have been distributed across New Zealand within days of arrival in the country, signalling strong public engagement with one of the most contested chapters in the country’s recent history.
The independently published book, co-authored by writer Siân Clement and filmmaker Gaylene Barnes, expands on Barnes’s similarly self-distributed film River of Freedom which reached number one at the New Zealand box office. Both document the 2022 Parliament protest with first-hand accounts from the Kiwis who gathered there in opposition to the COVID-19 mandates and in pursuit of democratic accountability.
Heart of the Protest expands on the film but dives deeper, weaving these stories alongside analysis of political decisions and media coverage from the time, raising broader questions around civil liberties, the constitution and the role of government during emergencies.
Clement and Barnes are calling on all sitting Members of Parliament to engage directly with those perspectives. “These were not abstract voices — they were constituents,” they said in an open letter. “The fact that over 1,000 copies have already been distributed nationwide reflects a clear and ongoing public interest in these experiences.”
Early reviews have been highly positive, similar to those for River of Freedom about which Graeme Tuckett of Stuff, noted: ‘Let me hear from people who have been excluded and belittled for a generation or more, for whom “the mandates” were a bridge too far.’
Media commentator Maree Buscke says: ‘What Heart of the Protest does is restore humanity to the hundreds of thousands who felt systematically dehumanised by government, media, and sadly, sometimes, even friends and family. It reminds us that every person present at that protest had a story to tell — each one different, yet bound by a common thread: the freedom to choose.’
Heart of the Protest arrives at a critical moment with Parliament due to formally respond to the Royal Commission findings in a few months, and political parties focusing their messaging ahead of the election. With rapid sales, Heart of the Protest is positioned to be one of the most talked-about releases of the year.
Buy your copy of Heart of the Protest online from riveroffreedom.nz or Fishpond.
This touches my heart