Close to 100 climate activists marched through Invercargill today as part of the New Zealand School Strike 4 Climate calling for political action on climate change.

Activists marched from the Feldwick Gates at Queens Park to the Civic Theatre, with numerous people carrying large banners in protest and chanting as they walked through the streets.

A variety of speeches were held on the steps of the theatre including from event organiser Ashleigh Putt-Fallows, Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt and Labour List MP Dr Liz Craig as well as a variety of other students and activists.

Several cars driving past the protest honked their horns in support, with activists waving their banners at passing motorists.

Miss Putt-Fallows said she was impressed with the turn out.

She said she hoped to continue the campaign further by speaking to the Invercargill City Council to declare a climate emergency, as well as organising other strikes and events such as tree plantings and rubbish collecting.

"This is about getting the attention so everybody can act...I want to do more activities just to extras awareness for the campaign."

Protest organiser Ashleigh Putt-Fallows speaks at the rally. PHOTO: Ben Waterworth

During the rally, Miss Putt-Fallows spoke passionately to the crowd to close off the event, urging people to "choose which side" they wished to be in history when it came to saving the planet.

"You've (previous generations) had your battle. So either join us or get out of the way. Things are going to change whether you like it or not, and when you're gone we're just going to change it."

15-year-old Southland Boys' High student Sam White drew large applause through his passionate speech, telling the crowd that while he was a "nobody", he "had a voice" and was going to use it to bring about change.

"What we are doing here today is very important, not for us, not for today but for the future...what we're doing here is not fixing these problems but bringing the answers to those who have them. To governments, politicians, people who can make a change."

Protesters at the rally in Invercargill this afternoon. PHOTO: Ben Waterworth

Sir Tim compared the protests to his time protesting for a nuclear-free New Zealand in the 1980s, praising the activists for standing up and speaking out against the issue.

Dr Craig meanwhile urged participants at the protest to write letters to politicians in Wellington, and announced she would accept any letters from them and take them back to parliament herself.

The Invercargill protest was one of more than 20 held across New Zealand today, joining in the global movement which has seen millions of mostly school children strike and converge on the streets in major centres to demand climate change action.