Protesters have kept Prime Minister John Key from making his first speech since yesterday's zero budget was announced.
Mr Key was due to give a speech to Tamaki party faithful at the Waipuna Lodge Hotel in Mt Wellington at 7am.
But at 8.30am a spokeswoman for Mr Key said he was on his way to the venue.
She would not comment on why he was not there at 7am.
Inspector Ian Brooker said about 16 protesters were at the hotel at 6.30am.
On Twitter Paul Brislen said: "No sign of the PM yet one hour in. Protestors keeping him out apparently. More cops on site, protestors going home.''
A manager at the hotel said protesters left about 8.30am.
