Police are reportedly checking in on 'known activists' and their plans for the TPP protests later this week.

Local Dunedin resident Scout River said police paid a visit earlier today, to check if there were any plans for the protest.

The door knock is reportedly part of a nationwide campaign to visit activists ahead of protests over the coming week.

But Scout River says the increased surveillance feels akin to 1981, particularly following the presence of armed police at John Key's State of the Nation speech in Auckland yesterday.

The Dunedin resident claims they have friends involved in the TPP Action Dunedin group - but is not associated with the group in any way.