SkyCity guests are now able to get into the building after anti-oil protestors blocked entrances this morning in an attempt to disrupt the New Zealand Petroleum Conference.
Dozens of conference delegates and hotel guests were prevented from getting into the complex early this morning by more than 100 protestors who are worried about the impact of oil drilling.
About 20 police who had been guarding doors into the hotel and conference centre left the building just after 11am. Security remains tight around the conference venue though with dozens of security staff on duty and strict electronic screening for those going to the two-day meeting.
The Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand organises the gathering and its chief executive Cameron Madgwick said there was very little disruption to the conference itself.
Event organisers didn't pay for the cost of extra police but provided its own security to ensure delegates were safe .
