Former Waitākere Mayor Sir Bob Harvey said he loved protesters' idea to block traffic to push for the restoration of passenger rail lines.
Wellingtonians faced traffic disruptions on Wednesday morning as climate action protesters blocked the Terrace Tunnel on State Highway 1.
Around 5km of traffic was brought to a standstill during rush hour as a group of protesters holding a large banner reading "Restore Passenger Rail" blocked traffic.
On Monday morning, three people were arrested but did not face any charges after the same protest group blocked traffic near the Bolton Street overbridge on State Highway 1.
Transport Minister Michael Wood told Newshub the disruption to commuters was "totally unacceptable".
However, Sir Bob said he loves the idea.
"I love it, I love the idea," Sir Bob said on an AM panel.
"It's important, the cause is important. Yes it is disruptive and it is unfortunate for the people stuck in traffic, they're going to be pissed off. But a protest has got to be meaningful and I think good on them," Sir Bob said.
Restore Passenger Rail is a climate action group demanding the Government restore passenger rail to the extent it was in 2000 by reopening now freight-only lines and introducing new lines. It wants affordable and accessible services aligned with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Sir Bob that the country needs more rail lines, with Auckland's railway network closing in stages while a major rebuild takes place over the next few years.
"This country was run by rail and it was terrific, and gradually we lost everything," Sir Bob said.
Former National MP Paula Bennett, appearing alongside Sir Bob, clapped back, saying she "doesn't give a damn" what they are protesting about.
"They've just got me so angry that I'm actually not listening to their message," she told AM.
Bennett called the protest a "vanity project" and called for the protesters to be prosecuted.
"There are people that will be extremely distressed because a few people decided they'll sit down on the road and upset everyone else," she said.
National MPs shared this sentiment with both Chris Bishop and Simeon Brown slamming the protesters online, calling them "idiots".
Brown tweeted the "reckless idiots" were putting people's lives at risk since emergency service vehicles were also unable to get through this route.
Bishop wrote on Facebook the "six idiots" decision to block the road was "selfish, reckless, irresponsible and counterproductive."
Police said six people were arrested following the incident.
