Protesters to march against asset sales

People will take to the streets across New Zealand on Saturday to protest the government's partial sale of state-owned assets.

The Aotearoa Is Not For Sale group has organised demonstrations in 15 cities, including Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, as part of a national day of action to oppose the partial privatisation of four state-owned energy companies.

"Our assets have not yet been sold. We, the majority of New Zealanders united, have the power to keep our power companies in public ownership," Aotearoa Is Not for Sale Wellington spokeswoman Ariana Paretutanganui-Tamati says.

Christchurch police are warning motorists to expect delays on Riccarton Road during Saturday afternoon's protest.

"There is the potential for the event to attract a number of people, so some disruption to traffic flows on Riccarton Road and around Hagley Park is possible," Inspector Malcolm Johnston said.

He said police presence at the protest will be low-key.

Meanwhile, a small group of protesters briefly occupied the Auckland office of state-owned power company Might River Power on Friday afternoon.

Legislation giving the green light to the partial privatisation of four state-owned energy companies was passed by parliament late last month.

The first share float - 49 per cent of Mighty River Power - is due late next month or in September.

After Mighty River Power has been partially privatised the government will go ahead with share floats for Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy and coal miner Solid Energy.

Opponents of the legislation are gathering signatures for a citizens-initiated referendum on asset sales.