Veteran activist John Minto has pleaded not guilty to two charges of obstruction after he was twice arrested during protests against the removal of state houses from the Auckland suburb of Glen Innes.

Mr Minto represented himself during a short appearance in Auckland District Court on Monday morning.

He was arrested during protests on May 10 and April 17 against Housing New Zealand's removal of 40 state houses from Glen Innes, as part of its plan to redevelop the suburb.

Over 150 state houses are to be redeveloped to create about 260 new houses and apartments.

In a statement to media before his court appearance, Mr Minto said his ribs were fractured during one of the arrests.

He said the protests have taken place at night, when the state houses were being moved out.

Under cover of darkness and without media present, the police action against protesters has been thuggish, he said.

"I have not had a conviction for more than 20 years but in the last three weeks I've been the victim of two gratuitous arrests."