The annual climate change protest focuses on the issue of offshore and onshore fossil extraction, with deep sea oil drilling being one of the main reasons for the protest.
This is the first time that Hands Across the Sand has been held since the Government announced the banning of future offshore drilling permits.
However, this ban does not extend to current permits, meaning that the 22 existing permits are still valid, and oil companies able to continue extracting oil out of the ocean floor surround New Zealand.
Graham Townsend, a member of climate change organisation 350 Christchurch, said the ban was a small step, but showed leadership. It was "a direct consequence of pressure from groups like ours", he said.
Hands Across the Sand is part of a wider global movement, protesting the extraction of fossil fuels and the lack of action taken towards climate change internationally.
The protest was organised and run by Oil Free Otautahi, for the eighth year running, and in partnership with 350 Christchurch.
