Protesters make their presence felt at a National Party bash at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland.

Protesters have clashed with police at a National Party fundraiser, storming the yacht club the event is being held at.

Led by veteran activist Sue Bradford, a group clashed with police as they tried to shield Prime Minister John Key and Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett.

After the initial fracas, in which protesters were hurled to the ground, a smaller group ran up some back stairs and entered the Royal Akarana Yacht Club.

1 of 8 Lawrence Smith Protesters made their presence felt at a National Party bash at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland. 2 of 8 Lawrence Smith Protesters made their presence felt at a National Party bash at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland. 3 of 8 Lawrence Smith Protesters make their presence felt at a National Party bash at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland. 4 of 8 Lawrence Smith Protesters make their presence felt at a National Party bash at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland. 5 of 8 Lawrence Smith Protesters make their presence felt at a National Party bash at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland. 6 of 8 Lawrence Smith Protesters clashed with police at the National Party bash at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland. 7 of 8 Lawrence Smith Police form a line at the National Party bash at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland. 8 of 8 Lawrence Smith Protesters made their presence felt at a National Party bash at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland.

Another group of protesters tried to enter via a lower level, sparking further violent scenes.

Bradford was carried out by police soon after.



Police quickly called for reinforcements and a cordon of about 30 officers was now protecting the venue, including maritime police who arrived on a boat.



Protesters on loudhailers were alternating chants of "what's the story, filthy Tory?", "stop the war on the poor" and "John Key's a millionaire, that's why he doesn't care".



Protesters have also taken to blocking the entry of attendees and pounding on the walls of the yacht club.

A giant inflatable rat had deflated and slumped on the car park.

No arrests appear to have been made.

The prime minister left the event by a back door after protesters blocked the ministerial cars he and Paula Bennett had arrived in.

After half an hour of a human chain blocking the cars' exit, one of the Prime Minister's protection team approached Bradford and said Key had left half an hour before out a side door.

"We just want our cars back," he said.

Bradford asked to be taken inside to check Key had left, which the security officer agreed to. The protest ended when she reported the building was empty.

A police northern district command centre spokesman said more officers had been sent to the protest to back up an initial deployment.

"We wanted to make sure that the Prime Minister and other dignitaries were able to move around safely," he said.



Auckland Action Against Poverty's demonstration was targeting National's regional "Summer Party".



"Our group sees the brutal impacts of the Government's welfare and housing policies on a daily basis," Bradford said in a statement today.



"Key and his ministers continue to turn a blind eye to the reality of the damage caused by their reforms of the last six years.

"This afternoon we'll be giving them the message loud and clear: it's time to stop giving handouts to their corporate mates and bring an end to their unceasing war on the poor."