Hikoi only a minor disruption

The thousands of demonstrators who marched in yesterday's hikoi were only a minor disruption to traffic, says the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Agency traffic management unit manager Mark Walker said good management meant the crowd of 7000 caused only small delays on their walk from Bastion Pt to Queen St.

"There were some disruptions on the motorways as the hikoi came in this morning, but it was all well managed. I expect there were some frustrations for drivers but nothing major," he said.

The Northern and Northwestern were heavier than usual from about 9.30am because of convoys carrying hikoi participants, but were running smoothly by 10.30. Commuters on Tamaki Drive and Quay St also experienced delays as protesters walked on the road.

As the marchers reached the centre of town, Queen St was closed to traffic for two hours. However, Mr Walker said traffic was back to normal by 3.30pm.