Extinction Rebellion supporters sat in the middle of Madras St outside Rydges Hotel where the NZ Gas Forum is taking place..
Five police officers are at the scene and asked the protestors to move off the street.
The protestors moved to Latimer Square, where they have been marching, singing and holding signs outside the hotel.The group caused "disruption to the public" by blocking the road, because "the climate emergency is going to disrupt our lives in ways we can’t even imagine yet," said Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman Grace Stainthorp.
She said protestors will be there until the afternoon.
Ms Stainthorp said holding a gas conference in the city was contrary to the city council's declaration of a climate emergency in May and "pursuing gas is like shuffling seats on the Titanic".
The climate group posted on its website about the conference saying it is promoting the expansion of gas usage in New Zealand.
The website says: "On Thursday we will peacefully resist the gas industry by using people power to delay and disrupt the conference as much as possible. We are committed to strict non-violence – this will be a peaceful protest."
