It was uncertain whether the Stop Co-Governance meetings, led by founder Julian Batchelor, would be able to take place as scheduled last night and tonight, after original venue providers the Balclutha Pipe Band expressed concerns.
However, local attendee Phil Barrett said he and others interested in seeing the meeting go ahead had helped find an alternative venue, at the former Rosebank sawmill on the edge of Balclutha.
The group’s meeting in St Kilda, Dunedin, on Saturday, was cut short after venue providers Scouts NZ intervened, saying they had been misled about the nature of the meeting.
Police and about 30 protesters were also present at that meeting, leading to concerns for the pipe band committee, its president Grant Marshall said.
"We’ve cancelled the booking as we don’t need that sort of press [coverage]. We’re not a political organisation, left or right, and we don’t need cops and protesters outside our band hall."
On Monday, a South Otago motel also cancelled the group’s accommodation after its owner raised similar concerns.
Before last night’s meeting, Mr Barrett said such cancellations were misguided, and were hampering the group’s right to free speech.
"Fortunately they’ve been offered this place as everything else has been cancelled in front of them.
"I and others just want to hear what’s being said and make up our own minds. Free speech means sometimes listening to things you may not want to hear, and that can make you uncomfortable. But it doesn’t mean it should be silenced."
The meeting appeared to get under way peacefully at 7pm.
About a dozen people were present as it began, including some Māori.
Stop Co-Governance has courted controversy due to what some claim are "racist" views that "frame Māori culture as an enemy of the public".
Group founder and director Julian Batchelor claims on his website that co-governance is "undemocratic" and promotes "apartheid and racism".
