More than 100 people protested against government changes to the welfare system outside a National Party youth wing function in central Auckland on Saturday.
The demonstration organised by Auckland Action Against Poverty took place outside a hotel where the Young Nats ball was being held.
Organisers said the Government should not be celebrating while so many are in poverty, and said they wanted a living wage put in place and more jobs created.
Demonstrators chanted "shame" when Social Development Minister Paula Bennett arrived at the venue and police acted as a barrier when protestors tried to follow the car up the driveway.