Auckland's Aotea Square has been repurposed for a protest against the city's COVID-19 lockdown. 

Around 100 people protested against Auckland's alert level 3 restrictions, with signs mentioning 1080, vaccination and "crimes against humanity". There was also a smattering of people wearing Donald Trump merchandise. 

One speaker, who did not identify himself,  referenced people who support the lockdown as "dogs" saying they would "walk on all fours and bark like a dog if the Government told them to".

The man claimed the cost of the lockdown outweighed the cost of the virus as people cheered.

Another person in the crowd could be heard making racist statements about Chinese people. The coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China earlier this year, though its origin remains unknown. 

NZ Maori Council chair Matthew Tukaki on Twitter said he could see police arguing with protesters, none of whom were practising social distancing.

"No consideration for public health," he wrote.

Police urged protesters to practice physical distancing but the crowd has largely refused, with one person shouting "anti-social distancing!"

Newshub has contacted police for comment.