Defence conference attendees face rough welcome

Delegates arriving at a defence industry conference in a Wellington are getting a rough welcome.

The Defence Industry Annual Forum begins at the TSB Arena today and dozens of vocal protesters are at the front door.

Suited conference delegates are being greeted with boos and those entering the front door are being squeezed by the throng, which police are holding back.

The protesters are shouting "warmongers, out out out" and "arms trade, the death trade".

There have been several scuffles with police.

"Good luck to them. They are entitled to do it," said one man arriving for the forum, which is principally sponsored by global defence giant Lockheed Martin.

The protest is organised by Peace Action Wellington.