A hikoi against the proposed Auckland supercity is unlikely to make a difference, is premature and the wrong forum to raise concerns, Prime Minister John Key says.
A large protest is to wind its way through Auckland streets today with some estimates predicating 10,000 people would converge on Queen Street by midday.
The hikoi was sparked over the dumping of the Maori seats from the Auckland super city proposal - in contrast to a Royal Commission recommendation.
Mr Key was asked this morning what he thought about the protest and the disruption it would cause.
"Obviously people have a right to protest and we respect that," he said.
"(But) I can't help but wonder if they are a little bit ahead of themselves."
The right forum to raise concerns was through the parliamentary process, he said.
The select committee soon to start looking at legislation setting up the council would consider the issues raised by the protest, Mr Key said.
It would look at the governance structure, how councillors were elected and issues around Maori representation.
"I don't think the hikoi of itself will make any difference really...we are going to go through the select committee process, that's not a white wash we are actually going to listen to what happens there. We are trying to work on getting an outcome that works for everyone."
On Maori representation National preferred the idea of an advisory board than appointed seats.
"We certainly didn't like the idea they were appointed, rather than elected."
Mr Key said Labour had supported a unitary council and the majority of Aucklanders were also behind it.
Local Government Minister Rodney Hide told the programme the Government was listening and did want to engage with local iwi and discussions with the Maori Party were continuing.
"I have to say though it's pretty tough to imagine a situation where you have a reserved place or places on the council for a local tribe."
Mr Hide said having a supercity would help sort out transport issues in Auckland.
Hikoi organiser Ngarimu Blair told Radio New Zealand this morning the goal was to "galvanise" Aucklanders in supporting the inclusion of Maori seats.
"(It's) also giving them a voice (for) their concerns about how their democratic rights are being ridden roughshod over through this very rushed process," Mr Blair said.
He said the intention was not to inconvenience Aucklanders.
"That's why we have the hikoi at lunchtime. If we were aiming to cause disruption we would have had it at rush hour."
However, the New Zealand Transport Agency said significant delays were expected and advised commuters to use public transport where possible.
Those who had to take cars should consider leaving earlier than normal or delaying departure until after the peak period (between 8am and 10am).
Groups would begin marching this morning from various Auckland locations, meeting at the bottom of Queen Street, before walking to the Town Hall and Aotea Square.
From noon to 4:30pm parts of Queen Street near the Town Hall would be closed to traffic.
NZPA