A high court ruling has found that the group Speak up for Women "cannot rationally be described as a hate group”.

The Dunedin and Christchurch City Councils have previously refused to allow the group to hold meetings in public facilities, after criticism of their views on trans people.

However, after the High Court decision on Friday, the most recent meeting in Auckland's Town Hall went ahead as planned last night.

Beth Johnson, spokesperson for Speak up for Women, told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it has been a divisive victory for free speech. 

She says that their opponents have pressured councils not to host them to silence their views. 

"They don't want our views to be heard, they don't want the bill to be debated."

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