Mother of All Protests (New Zealand)

The "Mother of All Protests" (MOAP) was a large-scale protest held in Wellington, New Zealand, on August 14, 1999. Organized by a coalition of groups including trade unions, Māori activists, environmental organizations, and social justice advocates, the protest was aimed at expressing widespread dissatisfaction with the policies of the National-led government of the time, headed by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley.

Key issues driving the protest included concerns over rising unemployment, welfare cuts, privatization of state assets, the impact of economic globalization, and the perceived erosion of Māori treaty rights. Organizers also voiced opposition to the government's handling of environmental issues.

The protest involved a march through Wellington's central business district, culminating in a rally outside Parliament Buildings. Estimates of the number of participants varied widely, ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 people, making it one of the largest protests in New Zealand's history.

While the "Mother of All Protests" did not immediately lead to policy changes, it served as a significant expression of public discontent and played a role in shaping the political landscape in the lead-up to the 1999 general election, which saw the National government defeated by the Labour Party. The protest also helped to solidify alliances between various social movements and raised awareness of the issues they were advocating for. The name itself, "Mother of All Protests," was likely derived from a similar phrase used in the context of the Gulf War, denoting a large and significant event.