Rowdy protest marks state luncheon for Australian PM

3.00pm UPDATE

Protesters chanted "no blood for oil", whistled, thumped drums and set fire to flags outside Parliament today, as a state luncheon for Australian prime minister John Howard took place inside.

Rowdy whistling and chanting from about 600 anti-war protestors was inaudible from the Banquet Hall, where New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and dignitaries were hosting Mr Howard.

Tomatoes hurled by protesters also failed to make much of a mark, clearing a line of police officers before splattering harmlessly on the steps of Parliament.

Green MPs Sue Kedgley, Ian Ewen-Street and Keith Locke were among the protesters.

Green MPs boycotted the state luncheon after co-leaders Jeanette Fitzsimons and Rod Donald called Mr Howard a "warmonger" who backed an invasion of Iraq.

Neither co-leader was among the protesters as promised, after low cloud closed Wellington airport and prevented them flying in.

Mr Donald got as close as Palmerston North, then flew back home to Christchurch.

Ms Fitzsimons was still stranded in Auckland, a Greens spokesman told NZPA.

The protesters ranged from secondary school students in uniform, to suit-and-tie businessmen, rastafarian youths and elderly women.

As speeches were made, an Uncle Sam figure massaged the scalp of a protester made up to look like Mr Howard.

A protester wearing a face mask of United States President George W Bush and one with a mask of Mr Howard embraced and writhed on the ground, miming an act usually done in private.

Australia has been one of the most firm supporters of the US over the need for direct action against Iraq.

Wellington teacher Paul Hopkinson, 37, burned New Zealand and Australian flags, amid loud cheering.

"Both flags stand for imperalism," he told NZPA.

"New Zealand has been supporting the sanctions on Iraq, just like Australia has. They've killed about one and a half million people."

Wainuiomata man Mike Rigg, 47, set fire to a New Zealand flag he had got from the $2 Shop.

He said he was angry Miss Clark was inside talking to Mr Howard, when she had refused to talk to special needs protesters who took court action against the government.

Mr Howard arrived in New Zealand on Saturday for annual bilateral talks. He leaves this afternoon.

His visit takes in the 20th anniversary of the Closer Economic Relations agreement between New Zealand and Australia.

The Green Party had called on the Government to revoke his invitation to visit.

Just 12 protesters -- four of them children -- greeted Mr Howard at the National War Memorial in Wellington this morning.

It was Mr Howard's first engagement of the day in the capital.

As he arrived at the memorial for a wreath laying ceremony, a lone protester called out "We don't want war" and "No more war, John".

Mr Howard appeared not to notice.

He was greeted by Colonel Andrew Renton-Green, chairman of the National War Memorial advisory council, before being ushered inside the building for the service.

At its conclusion, Mr Howard and his entourage left, the vocal protester still trying to get his message across.

"Don't send any more men to their deaths, John."

Mr Howard had an hour-long meeting with cabinet ministers before he and Miss Clark held a joint press conference.

Most questions from Australian and New Zealand media were about Iraq.

- NZPA