About a dozen protesters chained themselves to the gates outside the National Party's annual Christmas function in west Auckland this afternoon.
Up to 70 people, led by Auckland Action Against Poverty, began picketing the venue in Te Atatu about 4pm - half an hour before the function was due to start.
The group's spokesperson and former Green MP Sue Bradford said it was not a time for the party to be celebrating.
She said there was a strong police presence but the protesters managed to cause a stir, with a few disgruntled partygoers unable to get in past them.
