Prime Minister interrupted by seven different protestors during contentious Christchurch meeting

A bevy of protestors disrupted a contentious public meeting held by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Christchurch this week.

The Prime Minister was interrupted by seven different protestors on three separate issues over the course of the hour.

National's campaign event, held at the Addington Raceway on Wednesday night, included its MPs and candidates from across the city and wider area in an effort to meet the public and answer their questions.

Ahead of the meeting, veteran protestor John Minto and a small group of protestors grouped together across from the building's entrance, calling out to those entering "most of you likely don't support genocide".

As members of the public began filling into the building, the crowd seemed to settle in before Luxon began at 7.25pm. It took less than five minutes before protestors began to interrupt his opening remarks.

As the first protestor stood up, he began comparing the Denniston Plateau to Mordor and talking about climate change. 

He called out "We are Mordor" as he was escorted out of the room.

As he exited the room the Prime Minister addressed him directly.

"Why don't I get through the remarks, then we'll get into some questions if you want to; And then if I still haven't answered your question, come and see me." 

Shortly afterwards he was once again interrupted by another climate protestor, disrupting the meeting further. As the protestor was escorted out, they were drowned out by groans from part of the audience.

The Prime Minister was largely undisturbed by the interruptions, continuing from where he left off.

He moved onto global politics saying "the world is changing" and "we're moving from a world that's been ordered by rules to one that's increasingly ruled by power".

However, the mention of global politics quickly signalled to more protesters that it was their time to speak.

A protestor seated somewhere to the centre of the crowd called out "genocide in Gaza" and "why won't you sanction Israel?".

As the third protestor was taken out another stood, calling out "Palestine" and "you've failed your obligations under the genocide convention" before also being escorted out.

The Prime Minister returned to his remarks. He continued discussing more of the changes in global politics, saying there was "great uncertainty" and that there was little New Zealand could do to solve global issues.

This prompted a fifth protestor who called out "what you can do is sanction Israel" before being escorted out.

As they were escorted out, National MP Louise Upston who was emceeing the event, took to her microphone. 

"This is really disrespectful to all of the people who have come to listen. So does anyone else want to make their spiel now so we can get on with the meeting?"

The meeting and remarks seemed to be getting underway before a sixth protestor stood up a few minutes later, echoing similar calls from other pro Palestine protestors earlier.

She spoke briefly and then left the meeting on her own.

Continuing with his speech the Prime Minister seemed entirely undisturbed by the interruptions, even joking that those in Christchurch were "much better behaved people". 

He then spoke about crime and how his government had been "smashing up the gangs" and sending "a message to young offenders" to stop committing crimes.

He also touched on education, mentioning the phone ban and his hope for a ban on those under 16 from using social media.

He moved on to questions from the public where he was asked about Fees Free, the covid vaccines, climate adaptation, the Fast-Track legislation, and whether he would accept an interview with Reality Check Radio.

However as questions came to an end a seventh and final disruption came from the activist group Stop Data Centres NZ who had been trying to get their questions answered.

Upston once again spoke up, saying "there are lots of people here who have wanted to ask a question".

Attempting to wrap up the meeting, Luxon added "I'll come and talk to you after this."

As he closed the meeting at 8.16pm, Luxon went to speak to the group before speaking to other members of the public.