An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Rocket Lab's Peter Beck was at the conference.
Thirty people have been arrested at a demonstration outside an aerospace summit in Christchurch.
RNZ's reporter at the scene said about a dozen were chained together near the entrance to Te Pae Convention Centre.
Several protesters have been carried away by police outside the national aerospace summit in Christchurch.
Several protesters were carried away by police. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
Several protesters tried to storm the building that was being blocked by police while others carried banners, waved flags and chanted "shame" nearby.
Vision shows police pushing demonstrators into a garden bed outside the building.
Defence Minister and Minister for Space Judith Collins arrived at the event earlier, accompanied by a large security escort.
Collins and the wider aerospace sector were targets of chanting by protesters.
She told RNZ the protesters "live in another world" and they should "follow the rules".
Peace Action Ōtautahi alleged Collins had overseen the "intense militarisation" of the aerospace industry, bringing it closer to the US military.
Greens MP Teanau Tuiono, who is the party's spokesperson for Defence and Space, spoke to protesters and voiced his support for demonstrations.
RNZ's reporter said several protesters tried to storm the convention centre being blocked by police.
Police remained at the scene and said they were continuing to monitor the situation.
Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
Superintendent Lane Todd said the police's role was to ensure safety and uphold the law while recognising the lawful right to protest.
Peace Action Ōtautahi said they were protesting the aerospace industry's ties with the United States and Israeli defence forces.
Aerospace New Zealand president Mark Rocket said it recognised the right for lawful protest as part of a vibrant community, but it was also important for the industry to get together to discuss opportunities for the country.
'Follow the rules' - Collins
Collins said protesters "live in another world" and were fortunate to live in a country where they can lawfully protest.
"We are very fortunate to live in a democratic country where people can undertake lawful and non-violent protest, but people also need to follow the rules. Police are handling it very well and I understand there's some been some arrests but just follow the rules, you'll be fine," she told RNZ, while at the summit on Wednesday morning.
Activists had accused the government of being complicit in genocide and had labelled some members of the coalition as war criminals.
Responding to the claims, Collins said "these people live in another world".
"We live in a world where we're very aware of the issues that we're dealing with in terms of geopolitical tensions," she said.
"We're also very aware that the space industry in New Zealand is primarily civilian - not all, but primarily - and it is crucial for our communications; it's crucial for our surveillance; it's crucial, and we're talking about our maritime area and our search and rescue work. This is crucial for search and rescue. This is crucial for issues around floods and other natural disasters."
Judith Collins. Photo: RNZ
New Zealand was lucky to have companies like RocketLab and the billions of dollars the wider industry brought to the country's economy, Collins said.
"These are enormous big benefits for our New Zealand economy, but that means better jobs for New Zealanders, great jobs in the STEM subjects and we've just got to make sure that we celebrate our economic growth because that's what pays for our hospitals, that's what pays for our schools, and it helps New Zealanders be a wealthier country.
"I actually do say to some people, they're living in the past, they're living 30, 40 years ago, they need to get with it and get with the programme."
Asked if she was comfortable with the ethics and work of the industry, Collins said: "Absolutely - perfectly comfortable with it. And I thank goodness that we live in a country where we have the opportunities for people to protest legally".
"I suggest that they think about other countries where they don't and go there if that's what they really want," she said, laughing.
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