The “River of Freedom” filmmaking team is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of Heart of the Protest, a powerful non-fiction book which captures the untold stories of the 2022 convoy and Parliament occupation.
This independent publication brings together raw, first-hand testimonies from participants who stood for civil liberties during one of the most defining moments in modern New Zealand history.
Since opening for pre-order on 3 December, the book has enjoyed robust early sales – an exceptional start for an indie non-fiction title – clearly demonstrating its strong potential to connect deeply with New Zealanders seeking authentic, unfiltered reflection on the Covid era.
Scheduled for release in February and March 2026 to coincide with the protests’ anniversaries, Heart of the Protest combines compelling narrative with vivid photography and is shaping up as an essential read for anyone wanting to understand the human stories behind the headlines.
“This early response has been overwhelming and humbling,” says Gaylene Barnes, co-writer and publisher at Braided Films, the team behind the #1 independent documentary River of Freedom (2023).
“It shows that people are hungry for the truth as lived by those who were there. We hope this book will not only honour their courage, but spark much-needed, honest conversations for years to come.”
Industry observers agree that such a strong pre-order performance for an independent title highlights the book’s rare ability to cut through in today’s competitive non-fiction market.
For more information or to pre-order Heart of the Protest, visit www.riveroffreedom.nz
