There were failings, but overall police served the public well in the face of "extreme provocation" at the Parliament protest last year.
However in releasing its findings, the Independent Police Conduct Authority says police were put at unnecessary risk in a situation that could've proved fatal.
There were some serious criticisms of police leadership when it came to planning, communication, training and protective gear for officers.
RNZ political editor Jane Patterson and cameraman Angus Dreaver have the story.
