15 Sep 2014

Domestic violence rally heckles Hekia

8:29 pm on 15 September 2014

Government minister Hekia Parata has been heckled at a rally on domestic violence in Wellington.

About 300 people marched from Wellington's Civic Square to Parliament today to highlight the issues.

The march was organised by the National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges.

Its spokesperson Kiri Hannifin said family violence cost the country up to $8 billion a year, yet only about $60 million was invested to deal with it.

She said more was needed but there were also ways to be smarter with the current money that is spent.

Hekia Parata was heckled by protesters yelling 'show us the money' as she addressed the crowd.

She talked about what the National government has done saying: "So $70 million a year is spent in this area, clearly it's $70 million."

Afterwards, Hekia Parata said she was not worried about the heckling saying that was what happened at demonstrations.