Almost 6,000 bikers have descended on parliament to protest against a proposed hike in ACC levies.
One of the protest organisers Brent Hutchison told a gathering of around 500 bikers that 2,500 of their colleagues were currently jamming State Highway 1 from Paremata to Wellington and another 1,500 were coming down State Highway 2 from the Hutt Valley.
"We own the motorway, which is right since we paid for it," Hutchison says.
The bikers were mainly parking at Westpac Stadium and walking from there.
Hutchison accused the government of "raping and pillaging" ACC.
A group of 12 bikers met ACC Minister Nick Smith around 12.30pm.
While a rally organiser was addressing the crowd, Smith emerged to a less than welcome reception, the crowd all booing him en masse. This continued as the minister left to go inside with the delegation from the rally.
Hutchison says bikers had an alternative to ACC levy hikes to put to Smith, but would not say what those ideas were.
Labour Leader Phil Goff on the otherhand was greeted with cheers as he addressed the crowd.
A motorcyclist himself, Goff made mention of the fact those at the rally had been forced to leave their bikes at the gate.
Goff wondered why it was good enough when farmers came to Parliament for a National MP to drive his tractor up to the steps but it is not OK for the bikers to ride on in.
Several regional protest rallies were held around the country at the weekend.
Bikers wore signs declaring themselves "easy targets" for proposed ACC changes, while suggesting others may be picked off later.
Under the new scheme, the cost of registering a moped would rise $58.97 to $257.58.
All motorcycles currently cost $252.69 but from 2010/11 those from 125cc-600cc would rise to $511.43 while those over 600cc will be $745.77.
The government says the hikes are necessary to cover a blow-out in ACC costs.
Keep up to date with the latest traffic conditions on Wellington's roads on our Travelwatch Wellington page.
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