New Zealand police have ruled out the possibility of forcibly dispersing anti-vaccination protesters camped around parliament in Wellington, saying they do not want to provoke violence on the streets of the capital, AFP reported.

Police took a stance of non-interference after an attempt to take control of the lawns late last week led to violent clashes and 120 arrests.

Commissioner Andrew Coster acknowledged the growing discontent among Wellington residents and business owners as protesters' vehicles blocked streets in the city center for the 11th day. But he insisted that dialogue with demonstration leaders was yielding positive results, even as the number of people sitting in front of the legislature continues to grow.

Coster said any forceful police action would risk injuries to the public and could turn a largely peaceful protest violent and could increase the number of protesters.

Protesters, inspired by Canada's Freedom Convoy, filled the roads with cars, trucks and vans early last week and then set up camp on the lawns outside parliament. They set up tents and sheds, set up portable toilets, food distribution points and childcare facilities.

New Zealand's largest news website reported that police had apparently ceded control of the parliamentary precinct, pointing to the presence of protesters acting as self-appointed guards controlling access to the area.

Coster said there were about 800 people in the camp, with more than 450 vehicles blocking the roads, and the number was predicted to increase over the weekend.

Police threatened to use the military to tow cars this week, but backed down after protesters called on social media for reinforcements.