National Party faithful gathering for their annual Christmas Party in Auckland had to brave a picket line of protesters.

Auckland MP and National cabinet minister Sam Lotu-liga and MP Maggie Barry were amongst those not able to make it into the venue at first due to the disruption.

The Nats gathered in the west Auckland suburb of Te Atatu on Sunday for their annual Christmas bash.

Fairfax "No promises." Former Green MP and veteran protester Sue Bradford refuses a police request to keep a demonstration outside a National Party function contained.

But veteran protester Sue Bradford led a picket line promising to heckle them.

"While National Party MPs and their friends celebrate inside, we'll be outside reminding them of the damage caused by their welfare reforms and inaction on housing," Bradford said.

She was representing the Auckland Action Against Poverty group.

NICOLE LAWTON/FAIRFAX NZ Protesters picket the National Party's Auckland Christmas party.

"Every day we help people with their issues at Work and Income. Like every other church and community agency in Auckland, we know that the crisis in poverty, unemployment and housing is getting worse by the day. This afternoon we will be doing our best to let National know that the party's over."

The protesters blocked off an entrance to the function centre with pink banners saying "Auckland action against poverty" and "Block the National Party."

Police had asked Bradford early on to agree to keep the demonstration contained, but she replied: "No promises."

NICOLE LAWTON/FAIRFAX NZ "We're calling on supporters to join us in telling National it's no time for celebration," said Sue Bradford.

Protesters chained themselves onto a fence while chanting slogans: "One, two, three, four, stop the war on the poor" and "when worker rights are under attack, stand up fight back."

Their actions provoked responses from some going into the function who yelled in turn at the protesters.

"We're calling on supporters to join us in telling National it's no time for celebration and that what we need instead is a total overhaul of our fractured, punitive welfare system and a commitment to accessible education, affordable housing and decent job creation," Bradford said.