Photo: RNZ / Craig McCulloch
Labour has kicked off its 2023 election campaign in Auckland this afternoon, but Chris Hipkins' launch speech was interrupted by several hecklers who were escorted out of the hall.
The Labour leader watched on as party faithful drowned out the intruders, by clapping and chanting.
At least four times hecklers interrupted and were escorted out.
Hipkins thanked the crowd for having his back and said he has theirs as well.
"We are the party that says a small group of loud people should not drown out the voices of the majority," Hipkins said.
Photo: RNZ / Craig McCulloch
He said those in attendance were required to register in advance, and the protesters - who appeared to be affiliated with Freedoms NZ protesters outside the building - clearly took advantage of that.
"People deliberately set out to effectively mislead," he said after the launch.
"Ultimately this is Brian Tamaki and his group of people trying to upset the election for everybody else."
"I'm not going to be put off by Brian Tamaki," he added, saying that opponents should be willing to discuss ideas instead of just shouting people down.
It is a big weekend for campaign launches now that Parliament has ended for the year.
National and its leader Christopher Luxon will launch their campaign on Sunday.
Meanwhile, ACT leader David Seymour has said the party will announce their policy for affordable and reliable energy on Sunday at the party's offices in Newmarket.
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