Police were called to the annual meeting of the Mercury Bay branch of Forest and Bird Society on Sunday after anti-1080 protestors arrived.

Chairperson Augusta Macassey-Pickard says three people arrived and were quite aggressive towards society members.

She called police to ensure things didn't get out of hand. Speakers at the meeting included 1080 supporter Arthur Hinds, who had his cheek broken when he was assaulted at a meeting in Tairua three years ago.

There were also a number of older people among the 15-20 members at the meeting and Augusta says she wanted to ensure they were safe.

A police officer arrived and the meeting was held without incident.

Augusta says she believes in the right to protest and was open to the protestors raising their concerns about 1080 at the meeting, but they didn't take the opportunity.

The branch supports Forest and Bird's national policy that 1080 is the most effective pest control available at the moment but because it's so contentious in the area, the branch isn't proactive in its support.

‘I'm not a huge fan of it but I'm not a huge fan either of losing large numbers of native birds. It's a way of halting what is effectively a virulent disease,” says Augusta.

Sea Change working group member Alison Henry also addressed the meeting about progress on a spatial plan to address the deterioration of Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.