Some countries might send in a riot squad to disperse trespassing protesters, but New Zealand authorities turned on the sprinklers and Barry Manilow.
A demonstration against New Zealand's vaccination mandates and tough COVID-19 restrictions was held outside parliament in Wellington for the fifth day.
The ongoing protests came as the nation recorded a daily record of 454 community COVID-19 cases.
Initial moves on Saturday to try and flush out several hundred protesters with sprinklers had little effect.
The protesters responded to the soaking from the sprinklers by digging trenches and installing makeshift drainpipes to divert the water.
They also brought in bales of straw, which they scattered on the increasingly sodden grounds at parliament.
But by evening, parliament speaker Trevor Mallard had come up with a new plan to make the protesters uncomfortable: using a sound system to blast out vaccine messages, Barry Manilow songs and the Latin hit, Macarena, on a repeat loop.
Protesters responded by playing their own tunes, including Twisted Sister's 1983 rock anthem, We're Not Gonna Take It.
The demonstration began last Tuesday when a convoy of trucks and cars drove to parliament from around the nation, inspired by protests in Canada.
At first, there were more than 1,000 protesters but that number dwindled as the week wore on before growing again on Saturday.
Police have been taking a more hands-off approach since Thursday, when they arrested 122 people and charged many of them with trespassing or obstruction.
But Mr Mallard said he told staff to turn on the sprinklers overnight after running out of patience.
"I ordered them on," he said.
"Some people have suggested we add the vaccine in the water, but I don't think it works that way," he joked.
Mr Mallard also acknowledged that he was responsible for the sound system musical loop.
Among the protesters' grievances is the requirement in New Zealand that certain workers get vaccinated against COVID-19, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel.
Many protesters also oppose mask mandates — such as those in stores and among children over about age 8 in classrooms — and champion the idea of more "freedom".
New Zealand was spared the worst of the pandemic after it closed its borders and implemented strict lockdowns, limiting the spread of the virus.
The nation has reported just 53 coronavirus deaths among its population of 5 million.
But some have grown weary of the restrictions. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said last week the country would end its quarantine requirements for incoming travellers in stages as it reopened its borders.
With about 77 per cent of the entire New Zealand population vaccinated — and 94 per cent of people aged 12 and above having received two doses — Ms Ardern has also promised she will not impose more lockdowns.
The country's borders are still closed, however, with tens of thousands of expatriate New Zealanders facing being cut off from families and tourism businesses struggling to stay afloat.
Wires/ABC
