The outside of City Works Depot, where a group of activists stormed the office of the owners.

A group of Maori activists stormed the office of the owners of Auckland's City Works Depot, dragging staff out and barricading themselves inside, according to witnesses.

A bartender at a nearby bar said a woman who works inside the City Works Depot building hurried into to the bar on Monday afternoon, saying she felt intimidated by an altercation.

"There were a few dudes from some organisation saying the land had been taken wrongfully," he said.

"I ran to see what was going on. They physically removed staff from the Tournament Office so they could go in there.

"Just as me and police approached they tried to barricade the door and me and a policewoman opened it as they were pulling against us."

The man, who didn't want to be named, said around eight staff were removed from the office of Tournament Group, owners of the City Works Depot.

Senior Sergeant Rees of Auckland Central police said police were working to resolve the problem.

"There was an occupation of a group of aggrieved Maori who believe there was a grievance with the land," he said.

"We are sorting it out. There were no arrests in relation to the incident." However, trespass notices were served on the protesters.

Tournament Group refused to comment. Members of the protest group could not be contacted and it was not known precisely what the purpose of the protest was.

City Works Depot is one of Auckland's newest precinct developments and hosts restaurants, craft beer bars, florists and business offices.

Notable tenants include The Food Truck Garage, Dry and Tea and Best Ugly Bagels.