Election 2023: Screaming heckler interrupts David Seymour speech, prompting jeering from crowd

  • 17/09/2023

David Seymour's speech at the ACT Party's campaign launch has been interrupted by a group of protesters.  

ACT was officially kicking off its election campaign at the Civic Theatre in Auckland on Sunday when a protester interrupted Seymour's speech.  

One of the hecklers was Panmure-Otahuhu candidate for the Freedoms NZ party Karl Mokaraka. 

Security was quick to chuck Mokaraka out of the auditorium, with ACT supporters yelling "go out".  

Mokaraka could be heard yelling "don't forget south Auckland" and "what about Blackrock?".

Mokaraka streamed the moment on his Facebook page as bemused ACT supporters looked on.
Mokaraka streamed the moment on his Facebook page as bemused ACT supporters looked on. Photo credit: Facebook/Karl Mokaraka

In response, ACT supporters yelled back "party vote ACT" in unison.

Another heckler kicked out of the auditorium appeared to be protesting ACT's liberal stance on abortion.

Seymour continued his address despite the interruption but even though he was speaking through a microphone, it was difficult to hear him over the shouting.

Around half an hour after the first group of hecklers was quelled, another woman could be heard yelling over Seymour's speech.

Election 2023: Screaming heckler interrupts David Seymour speech, prompting jeering from crowd
Photo credit: Newshub

This isn't the first time Mokaraka and the Freedoms Party have interrupted a campaign event.  

Earlier this month, Freedoms NZ co-leader Brian Tamaki and around 100 supporters tried to disrupt the National Party's campaign launch in south Auckland. 

The day before that, Freedoms NZ supporters disrupted the Labour Party campaign launch.  

About 50 Freedoms NZ protesters gathered at Aotea Square / Te Papa-tū-wātea o Aotea, with hecklers disrupting speeches from Hipkins and former Prime Minister Helen Clark.  

Police later told Newshub one person was arrested at the protest but no charges had been laid.  

Last month, Mokaraka hijacked National Party leader Christopher Luxon's press conference when he leaned over the fence and interrupted the National Party leader.  

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was mobbed at the Ōtara flea markets by Freedoms NZ protesters, while on a walkabout with his MPs. 

Tamaki has told Newshub last month they're planning on being "disruptive". 

"[We're] interrupting a whole boring, lacklustre campaign." 

Watch the moment above.