THE behaviour of a mob of Kiwis participating in an annual Waitangi Day pub crawl around London has sparked a complaint to the New Zealand High Commission.

Former Wellingtonian Dylan Clements, now working in London as a travel agent, says up to 1500 drunken New Zealanders took to the city's streets on Saturday.



The pub crawl, which is now in its 13th year, follows the route of the London Underground's Circle Line, which forms a loop beneath central London.



Mr Clements, 28, says he saw pub crawl participants urinating and vomiting on famous landmarks, including Westminster Abbey and the Jewel Tower, and exposing themselves indecently on the street.



He has now filed a complaint with New Zealand High Commissioner Derek Leask, saying the mob's antics brought "great shame" on New Zealand, the Dominion Post reported.



Mr Clements says some participants ignored a drinking ban on the Underground and used "vulgar sexual language" in front of passengers.



"A number of commuters in tube carriages were visibly distressed by the behaviour," he said.



Mr Clements says Waitangi Day deserves respect and the behaviour undermined New Zealand's international reputation.



But New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has playing down the reports of bad behaviour.



Mr Key says it's great that New Zealanders around the world celebrate Waitangi Day.



"It's no great surprise to me that New Zealanders in London are doing that by having a few beers," he said.



"We would hope they wouldn't get out of control but I don't think we should over-egg this thing - New Zealanders are well known for having a pretty good time in London."



The pub crawl's organiser Clint Heine has also cast doubt over Mr Clements' claims, saying he has exaggerated what he witnessesd.



Mr Heine said the complaint was "heart breaking" because organisers tried to make the pub crawl a positive event.



"We work really hard over here in London to not be idiots," he said.



Westminster police had told Mr Heine they were surprised by the negative attention received by the event, given they had rated the day a success and made no arrests.



"Their officers want to work that day, they want to be there because they know that we're just so much fun to be around, even after a few drinks," Mr Heine said.



A few small instances of public urination were quickly dealt with and police were already looking forward to next year's event, he said.