Three peace protestors claim to have slashed one of the large domes covering two satellite dishes at the so-called Waihopai spy base near Blenheim.

Spokesman Manu Caddie, says members of the group Ploughshares, first severed three security fences surrounding the base which had razor wire and infrared motion sensors. One of the fences was a high voltage electric fence. A statement says the group then used sickles to deflate one of the 30-metre white domes. They built a shrine and knelt in prayer to remember the people killed by the United States' military activity in its war on terror.

Blenheim police confirm they have officers in attendance at the base.

Ploughshares' website claims the Waihopai base is an important part of the US government's global spy network and that the protesters have "come in the name of the Prince of Peace to close it down."

They say their activities are financed through personal savings, additional part-time employment and a small interest-free loan from a supporter.