Crowds have gathered near Christchurch’s Bridge of Remembrance, as part of nationwide protests.

It falls on the day of today’s budget.

People were encouraged to to go on strike in response to the Government’s perceived assault on Māori.

Crowd numbers appear to be larger than the previous protest organised by the Te Pāti Māori.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi has repeated calls for the establishment of a Māori Parliament in a recent interview.