A protester against staffing cuts at the University of Otago paints messages on a wall of a Commerce Building room this week. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

A group opposing staffing cuts at the University of Otago have come out in solidarity with three protesters who were filming damaging a room in the Commerce Building.

Protect Otago Action Group (Poag) has released a statement clarifying that the three protesters arrested and charged on Tuesday for wilful damage after occupying the room were not related to their organisation.

"To be clear, this was not a Poag action," it said.

"To be more clear, we support these protesters and will stand with them in full solidarity."

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Earlier this week, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said the damage to the building would likely be more than $10,000.

The three protesters, aged 18, 20 and 33, will appear in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday.