Hundreds of protesters travelled to the capital last week as part of the Convoy 2022 movement, setting up camp on parliament lawns.
They haven't left since, setting up camp and holding daily rallies despite the efforts of parliament's Speaker and police to move them on.
A particular annoyance is the abandonment of many cars in nearby streets in Wellington's CBD, rendering routes off-limits and infuriating businesses.
On Monday, police brokered the use of the Sky Stadium car park for their vehicles, but a day later, few of the occupying protesters have moved their vehicles.
On Tuesday afternoon, police commissioner Andrew Coster saidÂ
"While police acknowledge the right to lawfully protest, the effect of this protest activity around the parliament grounds, on roads, residents, schools and businesses, is no longer tenable," he said.
"Police will continue to give protesters the opportunity to remove their vehicles voluntarily, but time is fast running out for this to happen."
Mr Coster said roads needed to be cleared "now" or vehicles would be towed, seized, and "not immediately released to whose who have failed to move them".
"Those who obstruct police efforts to clear the roads can expect to be arrested and charged," he said.
Wellingtonians are dumbstruck as to how the protest has been allowed to occupy the parliamentary quarter for more than a week, given the obvious illegality.
Protesters have called for politicians and journalists to be killed in their speeches and signs, and have abused people in the vicinity wearing masks - including schoolchildren.
Mr Coster has activated the "major operations centre" at police HQ to oversee their repsonse, warning the locals it may take some time.
"What's clear from international experience is that there is no easy resolution to protests of this nature and the safety of the public and consequences of escalation are a significant factor in our decision making," he said.
