Protesters vow no end to Wellington road blockades

Climate activists Restore Passenger Rail have pledged to keep blocking traffic in Wellington until the "breath leaves our bodies" or the New Zealand government improves public transport.

Five people from the group, loathed by Wellington motorists, were arrested on Monday after their latest action on an inner-city street near parliament.

Activists have staged road sit-ins around the capital since October last year calling for the restoration of defunct rail networks.

"We have two demands," spokesman James Cockle told AAP.

"To restore a nationwide passenger rail service in New Zealand and to make local public transport free."

Monday's protest was the sixth action in recent weeks, with the climate action group blocking state highway one and other key roads, to the fury of morning commuters.

Pedestrians joined in, abusing and swearing at the protesters.

Mr Cockle said the "anger was understandable ... I'd be angry too if I was stuck in one of our blockades".

"But we don't need to change people's minds," he said.

"Passenger rail and free public transport are already hugely popular ... what we do need to do is get people talking about it, and we need them to understand that the government is not capable of making those changes without public pressure."

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has shown the group no support, calling them "irresponsible and idiotic" on the AM Show.

"Whatever point it is they're trying to make, they're not making it. All they are causing is massive disruption to people," he said.

Restore Passenger Rail is part of an international network of direct-action protest groups which includes Stop Fossil Fuel Subsidies Australia (formerly Fireproof Australia).

The group has also attempted engaging with policy-makers.

It made a submission, via Zoom, to a parliamentary select committee in October last year while staging an illegal sit-in on a gantry above State Highway 1.

In December, Transport Minister Michael Wood met with leaders, extending the olive branch of a meeting if they would stop their blockades, telling them he didn't have the budget to meet their demands.

"They've indicated that they're not willing to meet with us again," Mr Cockle said.

"So we're continuing to take action to demand that the government implement these simple small steps, which we think will reduce emissions in a way that reduces consumption and benefits everybody."

Monday's protest was especially poorly timed for commuters, coinciding with major disruptions to the rail network.

Fewer than half the capital's rail services are running this week as Kiwirail's sole evaluation car is broken, cancelling dozens of services and limiting all rail to 70kmph as a precaution.

Around 30 people have been arrested in the protests to date but Mr Cockle insisted the group wouldn't stop "until the breath leaves our bodies because this is an existential crisis".