Police and anti-vaccine protesters clashed on the grounds of New Zealand's parliament, with more than 50 arrested after demonstrators who camped outside the legislature for three days were ordered to move on.

Activists chanted the Maori haka and yelled “hold the line” as they scuffled with a line of police moving to clear a makeshift settlement from the lawns of parliament, AFP reported.

Police moved in early today after taking a hands-off approach to the first two days of protests, using loudhailers to warn a crowd of about 150 they faced arrest unless they left.

Officers were punched and kicked amid cries of “this is not democracy”, “shame on you” and “drop the mandate”.