Protesters are overjoyed at the cancellation of an alt-right event in Auckland, saying it had nothing to do with freedom of speech.

Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux's speaking gig at the Powerstation on Friday night was called off at the last minute, to the delight of 1000 protesters who gathered in Auckland's Aotea Square.

Tamaki Anti-Fascist Action spokeswoman Sina Brown-Davis says the protest turned into a celebration.

"There was just joy seeing people... all coming together in peace and unity at the rally. It was just a really confident, beautiful thing."