March a wake up call - Shearer

Labour leader David Shearer believes the turnout at today's march against asset sales is a wake up call for the Government.

Thousands of people rallied against the government's intended partial sell-off of state assets in Auckland this afternoon.

It's coincided with the arrival in the city of members of a hikoi marching south through the country, and called Aotearoa Is Not For Sale.

Those taking part in the march organised by Aotearoa Is Not For Sale include Labour, the Greens, Mana and numerous unions.

Spokeswoman Miriam Pierard says many concerned New Zealanders have also been taking part.

"All of us who endorse and support this march and the movement it's going to follow don't believe the Government has a mandate."

Mr Shearer was part of a strong Labour presence at the march and says there was a great feeling among the protestors.

"And people from all walks of life, obviously feeling strongly about our assets particularly our electricity companies being sold off."

Labour's leader believes the public movement against asset sales is gaining momentum.

I think there's a lot of people out there who would've come if they'd known about it. But these people go back and talk to their friends at work and their family and things, I think there's going to be an inexorable build up of people opposing this and getting out on the streets."

The hikoi will continue on, its ranks swollen by people joining it in Auckland, to meet with other protestors in Palmerston North, before arriving for a rally outside Parliament on Friday.

Photo: Protestors march in Auckland (Facebook)