Anti-poverty activists crash National's Christmas party

Anti-poverty activists protested outside a National Party Christmas function in Te Atatu, West Auckland, this afternoon.

Auckland Action Against Poverty (AAAP) spokeswoman Sue Bradford said the poverty crisis New Zealand wasn't improving.

The Auckland Action Against Proverty group outside the Croatian Society Hall in Te Atatu where the National Party are holding their Christmas Party. Photo / Jason Oxenham

"Like every other church and community agency in Auckland, we know that the crisis in poverty, unemployment and housing is getting worse by the day," the former Green Party MP said.

She said that while National Party MPs and their friends celebrated inside, her group were outside reminding them "of the damage caused by their welfare reforms and inaction on housing".

Photo / Jason Oxenham

"We need a welfare system that works, decent job creation and a government commitment to immediately address the housing crisis."

Ms Bradford said this Christmas would be grim for many New Zealanders.