Police prevent anti-1080 protesters from marching over Harbour Bridge

Police were stationed in Northcote where the group were protesting. Photo / Doug Sherring

Auckland police have prevented a group of anti 1080 protesters from marching over the Harbour Bridge.

The group was gathered at Onepoto Domain on Auckland's North Shore around 1pm as part of a march protesting against the use of 1080.

They had planned to depart from the Takapuna area and head into Northcote before marching over the Harbour Bridge and on to Bastion Point.

However, the group had since given up on their bid to head over the bridge.

Instead, they would drive from Northcote into Orakei and stage their protest there.

Inspector Alisse Robertson of the Auckland police said officers and partner agencies had been attempting to work with the hikoi group.

"While we respect any person or group's right to lawfully protest, we must also balance this with public safety," Robertson said.

"Walking across the Auckland Harbour Bridge poses significant risk to motorists and the individuals themselves."

Robertson said the group had not submitted a formal application to the Transport Agency - although the agency had advised any request would not have been approved due to safety concerns.

Robertson said: "The group has chosen to ignore this advice and despite numerous attempts by police staff to look at alternative options, they have refused to negotiate."

Any protesters who did venture over the bridge on foot could be fined or arrested, and charged with endangering transport.

Robertson added that resourcing a police team to control the protest took staff away from being out in the community, preventing crime.

It was "very disappointing", she said.