About 250 people marched to Parliament on Tuesday to protest against funding cuts to adult community education.
The sector lost 80% of its funding in this year's Budget, with subsidies cut from $16 million to $3 million.
Representatives from the Post Primary Teachers Association, the Labour and Green parties were among those to adddress the vocal crowd when it reached Parliament.
Education Minister Anne Tolley has been deluged with complaints but failed to meet the protesters.
They say the cuts mean many people will lose access to learning opportunities and skills training in a period when New Zealand is experiencing a skills shortage.
