Wellington, Jan 18 NZPA - Court staff and members of the Republican Movement rallied outside the new Supreme Court building during Prince William's visit in Wellington today.

Ministry of Justice employees, who are members of the Public Service Association, staged a rowdy demonstration, hoping the prince's high-profile visit would further highlight stalled negotiations and pay differentials between public servants.

"We just want the Ministry of Justice to get around the negotiating table and come to some sort of resolution on fair pay," said collections officer and PSA delegate Neil Raeburn.

According to the PSA, ministry workers were paid up to 13 percent less than the public service median and on average 6.3 percent less.

PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said protestors were "asking where is the justice in being underpaid for doing work the country relies on".

The ministry stated last December that all options to settle a collective employment agreement with PSA members had been exhausted.

Andrew Hampton, the ministry's general manager, higher courts, had said "despite our best efforts we believe bargaining is at an end."

"We would welcome the PSA to come forward with new proposals to restart talks."

Ministry of Justice spokeswoman Jane Green said today the department's position on the matter hasn't changed.

"We acknowledge the legal rights of staff to protest, but we are disappointed that they have chosen to do so at such a historical event for the ministry and for New Zealand," she said.

Alongside PSA protestors, members of the Republican Movement, wanting New Zealand to cut its ties with the British monarchy, unfurled a banner outside the Court stating "It's for a republic."

"We've told our supporters that this is all about a peaceful, positive protest," said Republican Movement president Lewis Holden.

The group also mounted a noisy protest when the prince arrived at the site, prompting an angry response from supporters of the man who is second in line for the throne.

"Prince William might be a nice guy, but it should be a New Zealander, chosen by New Zealanders, opening our highest court of appeal," Mr Holden said.

Parliament is set to vote on Green Party MP Keith Locke's Head of State Referenda Bill in March.

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