Thousands of New Zealanders marched peacefully to mark their respects for George Floyd, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed shock at the way he died.
"I think I stand with everyone else in being horrified in what we've seen," Ardern told state broadcaster TVNZ.
"I don't want to stop peaceful protests... but rules are there to protect people," she added, urging people to follow social distancing rules.
Meanwhile, the country is gearing to remove all lockdown restrictions by next week after recording no new coronavirus infections in the last 10 days.
"We are exceeding our expectations in terms of our progress, which is a fantastic position to be in," she added.
US targets three Iranian oil vessels after attack on Navy ships
Four killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon
Indonesia's Anak Krakatau eruption halts flights, schools, fishing
Putin says US-Russia contacts beneficial as talks begin with Witkoff and Kushner
Chinese national rescued from Nepal tunnel 10 days after flash flood
US envoys Witkoff, Kushner arrive in Moscow for talks on peace in Ukraine
One dead, 11 people missing after mudslide in China's Jiangxi province
Philippine VP Duterte posts bail after arrest order for alleged grave threats
