Labour to keep public events open despite protest risk

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the party will keep holding open public meetings and won't switch to controlled, ticketed events, even though he is "very mindful" the election could turn violent. It follows volunteers physically shielding health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall from anti-vaccination protesters in Wellington. Hipkins called the protesters' views "anti-science" and said most New Zealanders disagree with them.