Hīkoi to Parliament: Tens of thousands descend on Wellington in historic day of mass protest
Police are urging more than 40,000 protesters who attended today’s historic march on Parliament to “travel safe” as they return to their homes around the country tonight.
Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said that by mid-afternoon the number of people who gathered at the Parliamentary precinct and surrounding streets had grown to about 42,000.
Parnell said while today’s hīkoi ran “smoothly and safely” without any cause for concern, one person was arrested on Cable Street at about midday for disorderly behaviour and indecent assault.
Ambulance staff also responded to 20 medical-related incidents throughout the day, with one person transported to hospital.
Police would maintain a presence at Waitangi Park throughout the evening - where about 2000 people have gathered for the day’s final event, which is expected to finish at 7pm.
Parnell said those attending today had come from far and wide, and many would be tired.
“Fatigue is a major risk factor in serious and fatal crashes – if you’re feeling tired, don’t drive. If you feel fatigue coming on, stop and have a rest.
”A 15-20 minute nap can help, or else consider a longer sleep before you drive again,” Parnell said.
Police reminded motorists to expect more traffic on Wellington roads this evening as people made their way out of the city.
The Public Service Association (PSA) estimated 55,000 protesters attended the march.
The number of demonstrators dwarfed the anti-Covid Parliamentary occupation of 2022 and is more than double that of the huge Seabed and Foreshore hīkoi two decades ago.
Act Party leader David Seymour, the architect of the Treaty Principles Bill, was booed back inside the Beehive today by the tens of thousands protesting against his controversial Bill.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi led an impassioned chant to “kill the bill”. As the crowd chanted, Seymour walked back into the Beehive with his MPs, later saying he had been advised not to face protesters for fear of inciting “bad behaviour”.
The crowds are dispersing after impassioned speeches on an unprecedented day of protest outside the country’s seat of power.
Police warned of more disruption as the hīkoi makes its way back to Waitangi Park before protesters begin to head home.
STORY CONTINUES AFTER BLOG
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti comes to an end
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The Hīkoi mō te Tiriti has officially ended in Wellington this evening with a concert at Waitangi Park.
The nine-day protest march started at Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Rēinga) last Monday and ended in Wellington today, after more than 42,000, by police estimates, gathered at the Parliament grounds.
It was a peaceful protest throughout the nine-days, with no major incidents to report.
Ex-National MP Harete Hipango joined the Hīkoi
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Ex-National MP and unsuccessful candidate at 2023 election Harete Hipango joined the Hīkoi.
Hundreds still gathered at Waitangi Park
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Hundreds of people are still gathered at Wellington’s Waitangi Park as a concert part of the Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi continues.
There is music, dancing, food trucks and a party atmosphere to mark the end of the nine-day hīkoi that began at Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Rēinga) last Monday and will finish in Wellington today.
The concert is expected to end at 7pm.
Police are urging Hīkoi mō te Tiriti attendees to travel safe as they begin their journey home this evening.
An “unforgettable” day - Tory Whanau
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Can you help identify this child?
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'This is only the beginning,' says Rawiri Waititi after historic hīkoi
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David Seymour says 42,000 protesting 'not representative of New Zealand'
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David Seymour told RNZ's Checkpoint it was difficult to hear what was being said from where he stood when he walked out of Parliament to face the protest.
"But I think they were saying something about me not ... shouldn't be there."
Asked why he promoting the bill, he said: "We've got a New Zealand where people conceive themselves as being part of groups, rather than as part of a country, and therefore put up these barriers."
RNZ's Lisa Owen said he had been wanting to promote a conversation, and asked if today was the conversation he had imagined?
Submissions were now open to the public as the bill was before the justice committee - and anybody could have their say on the bill "and the way we intention... sorry... see the Treaty in modern times".
"There will always be people who are out there making a lot of noise.
"I think at the end of the day the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders are at work, going to school, and they'll be able to engage in this debate in their own way.
"So you wouldn't want to take this hīkoi as being representative of NZ."
Owen circled back to the comment about how he "intentioned" the Treaty to be in modern times, and Seymour said he misspoke. "I don't know where that word came from."
- RNZ
'Today’s hīkoi ran smoothly and safely': Wellington police estimates around 42,000 attended the protest
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Police are urging Hīkoi mō te Tiriti attendees to travel safe as they begin their journey home this evening.
Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell says by mid-afternoon the number of people gathered at the Parliamentary precinct and in the surrounding streets had grown to approximately 42,000.
“Today’s hīkoi ran smoothly and safely, moving from Waitangi Park, through the Central Business District and on to Parliament without any cause for concern.
“We would like to extend our appreciation to those involved in the hīkoi for how they conducted their movements today, and the positive way in which they engaged with us throughout.
“We also wish to thank the wider community for their cooperation and patience while roads were closed.”
Ambulances on site at both Parliament and Waitangi Park responded to around 20 medical-related incidents, with one person transported to hospital.
Multiple people were reported missing throughout the day, predominantly children. All have now been reunited with their families.
Around 2000 people have now returned to Waitangi Park for the day’s final event, which is expected to finish about 7pm.
Police will continue to have a presence at Waitangi Park throughout the evening.
Superintendent Parnell says those attending today have come from far and wide, and many will be tired.
“Fatigue is a major risk factor in serious and fatal crashes – if you’re feeling tired, don’t drive.
“If you feel fatigue coming on, stop and have a rest.
“A 15-20 minute nap can help, or else consider a longer sleep before you drive again.”
Police would also like to remind motorists to expect more traffic on the roads as people make their way out of the city.
The Hutt Valley train line will be on bus replacements from 8:30pm this evening, with the last train on that line leaving Wellington Station at 8:05pm.
Please refer to the Metlink website for further information.
One person was arrested on Cable Street around midday today for disorderly behaviour and indecent assault, with charges being considered.
No further incidents of note were reported over the last 48 hours.
“Members of the hīkoi remained peaceful throughout their time in our region," Superintendent Parnell says.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti began in Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) eight days ago on 11 November, and arrived in the Wellington District on Sunday (17 November).
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Protesters gather in Hokitika
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A crowd is also gathered in Hokitika, in the South Island, to protest the Bill.
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Silver Fern Tiana Metuarau at the Hīkoi:
Thousands of people at Waitangi Park
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Thousands at Waitangi park marking the end of the hīkoi. People are dancing and enjoying the music acts and spoken word poetry.
Public Service Association estimates 55,000 people at hīkoi
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Labour MP Willie Jackson says 'possibly 50,000 people' at hīkoi
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People continue to arrive at Waitangi Park
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Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrives at Waitangi Park
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Crowd gathers in Hokitika
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More than 200 people have gathered in Hokitika as part of the protest.
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A few people already gathered at Waitangi Park waiting for the hīkoi to arrive.
People arriving at Waitangi Park for concert, karakia, and farewell
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More people are arriving at Waitangi Park where there will be a concert, karakia, and farewell.
ACT Party shares footage of Seymour facing the Hīkoi
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ACT has shared a reel of Seymour fronting the Hīkoi.
Plenty of kai at Waitangi Park
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There are lots of food trucks set up around Waitangi Park. There's ice cream, candy floss, hot chips, whitebait fritters and burgers on offer.
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Waitangi Park ahead of the hīkoi arriving
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'Patience is key': Police warn of delays as hīkoi moves to Waitangi Park
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Police are expecting traffic, on foot and in vehicles, to get heavy in the city once again as Hīkoi mō te Tiriti departs Parliament and the CBD.
Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell is urging attendees to be patient as the large crowd disperses.
“Movement may be slow so we encourage everyone to take care, and follow the directions of Police or partner agencies.”
Those returning to Waitangi Park are being directed down Bunny Street towards the waterfront.
“We’re also expecting a large number of people to begin leaving the city, meaning congestion on our roads.
“Again, patience is the key.”
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Hīkoi approaching Te Papa
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The hīkoi is now approaching Te Papa on Wellington's waterfront, as it makes its way to Waitangi Park.
Hīkoi continues to move along Wellington waterfront
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'We are not at risk of civil war in New Zealand' - Luxon
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Labour leader Chris Hipkins is asking the Prime Minister about the Treaty Principles Bill, including former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley’s civil war comments.
“We are not at risk of civil war in New Zealand. That is inflammatory language," Luxon said.
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Meanwhile, in the House
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Asked about the impact of the Treaty Principles Bill on the Māori-Crown relationship, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says there is a large population of Māori in New Zealand with a wide variety of views. Some of them will have an interest in constitutional arrangements and may be protesting in front of Parliament, he said, while others will be more focused on economic issues.
Goldsmith said Labour’s Peeni Henare, who asked the question, is speaking about Māori as if they all think alike.
Hīkoi moving towards Waitangi Park
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The hīkoi is now making its way back along the waterfront to Waitangi Park.
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Labour has taken a shot at the National Party in a social media post, which has been retweeted by MP Barbara Edmonds.
Hīkoi now making its way back through the city
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Another image that shows the scale of the protest
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Traffic stopped on Waterloo Quay
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Traffic has been stopped on Waterloo Quay as the hīkoi makes its way back through the city.
Seymour criticises former Treaty Minister Chris Finlayson and Dame Jenny Shipley
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Seymour has also accused others of resorting to name calling and personal attacks in their responses to the Bill - but he defended his own responses to criticism of it by former Treaty Minister Chris Finlayson and Dame Jenny Shipley.
Asked about the personalised response, Seymour said today that Shipley's comment about civil war was "so far out there" he didn't know what else to say about it.
"Chris Finlayson, I just criticised his manner which he probably takes as a compliment when he tucks himself in at night."
Seymour had said Shipley was “grossly irresponsible” to say he was inviting civil war with his bill, and then raised her handling of Mainzeal, a collapsed construction firm Shipley and other company directors allowed to keep trading despite being insolvent.
Seymour had also dismissed Finlayson's comments as showing “haughtiness and bitterness” and he needed to move on from being a politician.
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Asked about Hobson's Pledge new campaign on the bill, describing Luxon as "scaredy cat Luxon," Seymour said he would not use that term of Luxon.
"I've known Chris well for 10 years now, I don't attack people on a personal basis and I don't think that's a fair characterisation of Chris. Obviously we have a different view on the Treaty Principles Bill but I wouldn't impugn his character on it."
Seymour says he encourages all New Zealanders to have their voice heard
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Act leader David Seymour is now speaking about the Treaty Principles Bill in Parliament in response to a patsy question from one of his MPs.
He notes that the Justice Select Committee is now seeking public submissions on the legislation. He encourages all New Zealanders to have their voice heard.
Seymour said there has been a lot of reporting on the legislation. He said there was a contrast between some people wanting to have a rational debate about the place of the Treaty and others wanting to call people names and use “theatrics”.
Aerial photos show scale fo the protest
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The hīkoi has begun to leave Parliament towards Waitangi Park
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One man shouted "kapai tamariki" as they made their way back to Waitangi Park.
Watch: Timelapse video shows hīkoi moving down Manners St in Wellington
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Laura Comerford, middle, is among those leaving Parliament grounds.
She said it had been beautiful, with good energy and everyone together for the same kaupapa.
Asked whether she thought their message had been heard, she replied: "I bloody hope so".
Seymour believes if he'd spoken at the protest it would have 'deflated a lot of the angst'
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David Seymour said he would have liked to have gone out and spoken at the hīkoi "but it became pretty clear they did not want to have that dialogue".
"You know what, I suspect the reason is that if I was to get out there and speak and give my side of the story, it would really deflate a lot of the angst and hatred that has been wound up on tiktok and the caricature they're tried to create of me. The organisers didn't want that, Te Pāti Māori didn't want that because that would seriously deflate a lot of their kaupapa."
On the size of the hīkoi, Seymour said it had to be put into perspective and was similar to those who marched over the hospital. "And you've got to remember there's another 5 million people out there who are working and going to school as well and have a view. They're going to be able to express that view, if they choose, through the select committee process."
'PM not invited to speak to protesters', Winston Peters says
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Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters makes the suggestion that the Prime Minister wasn’t invited to speak to the protesters.
Luxon said it was true that he wasn’t invited to speak, but his message was that National wouldn’t support the Bill at further readings.
Luxon questioned over not meeting with protesters
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The Greens Tamatha Paul asked the Prime Minister how he can say the Government represents all New Zealanders when he didn’t go outside to address the protesters.
Christopher Luxon said National MPs went outside as a delegation to receive the hīkoi. He said National’s position was that it would not support the Treaty Principles Bill any further.
Luxon said he plans to continue meeting iwi leaders across the country “to improve outcomes for Māori and non-Māori".
Luxon says Aotearoa New Zealand is going through 'a challenging time'
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Asked if New Zealand was "unified", Luxon said it was no doubt the country is going through a "challenging time".
"We do need to come together and we do need to make sure that we have a great future as a country whether you're Māori or non-Māori. I think we have innate potential in this great country of ours and our job is to realise that."
'It felt like we've made a difference'
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On her way out of Parliament, Tia (left) said it had been an amazing day.
"It felt like we've made a difference".
She said it showed that they were "not just going to sit back".
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Photographs by Herald photograph Mark Mitchell show the crowd gathered on Parliament grounds while Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi spoke.
Seymour dismisses protest numbers
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Seymour dismissed the estimated numbers of 30,000 as similar to the numbers who marched in Dunedin after the government announced it was reviewing the Dunedin Hospital rebuild, noting Dunedin was a city half the size.
He said the hīkoi had only persuaded him it was even more important to have the discussion he was trying to achieve with his Bill.
"The idea that the Treaty Principles Bill is a bad idea because a lot of people march, actually it's because there are people in New Zealand who view themselves not as people, not as New Zealanders, but as a group based on ancestry that we need to have this discussion."
National supporters understand party's position, Luxon says
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said National Party supporters understand what has been a long-held position on the bill.
"I think like many New Zealanders, there'll be a range of opinions on all sides of this debate, but I can just say our party position has been very clearly understood by party supporters and members for some time."
David Seymour on why he went out to watch hīkoi, despite police telling him not to
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Act Party leader David Seymour said he went out to watch the hīkoi briefly, despite Police asking him not to.
Seymour had been flanked by a line of Police and said the Police had advised not to go out there, because they felt it might incite people to behave badly.
"I didn't think that was a concern. I told them it was important for democracy to go ahead."
He had stayed at a distance, but did not believe he would have gained much by getting closer.
"All I knew is I could hear what they were saying and it was useful to be out there."
He said he went out to "listen" to the hīkoi for about 5-10 minutes.
"I went out there to listen, I felt these people had made a long journey to Parliament and we as parliamentarians should be there to hear them. I have to say it was quite difficult to hear a lot of what was being said but nonetheless, I felt it was important to be out there."
People begin to leave Parliament grounds
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Large numbers of people are now starting to leave Parliament grounds.
Luxon says the Treaty Principles Bill is 'simplistic'
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Asked if he would like the bill abolished by Waitangi Day, Luxon said; "it'll be what it'll be."
"We don't support the Treaty Principles Bill because we think it's simplistic. We don't think through the stroke of a pen you go rewrite 184 years of debate and discussion," Luxon said.
"We think we are a better country because of that debate and discussion."
No Te Pati Māori MPs in the chamber
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There are no Te Pati Māori MPs in the chamber currently despite the session having begun. The protest continues outside of Parliament where some of the MPs were earlier.
Luxon on why he hasn't met with Hīkoi today
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Luxon said he hadn't be able to meet with Hīkoi organisers today.
"I was open to doing so, but the reality frankly is that many of them are Te Pāti Māori affiliated."
"But my message more importantly to the Hīkoi in general is that our longstanding position... is we don't support the bill and it won't be becoming law."
Luxon said he would continue to engage with Iwi leaders up and down the country.
Luxon on whether he regrets coalition agreement clause on Treaty Principles Bill
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon would not comment on if he regretted the clause in the coalition agreement after seeing the wave of people on Parliament grounds today.
"The reality is we're in a modern MMP environment, every party has different positions. Our three parties and our coalition government are aligned on many, many things [but] we don't agree on this, therefore we came to a compromise as expected in an MMP environment."
Shane Jones wants Parliament's Standing Orders reviewed
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New Zealand First’s Shane Jones is concerned whether Parliament’s Standing Orders are robust enough. He questions whether senior members of the Parliament should come together and review them to see if they are appropriate. He said it was important this issue was taken “incredibly seriously”.
Act’s David Seymour stands to support that suggestion. He said social media has changed the behaviour of some people in Parliament and believes that should be considered.
The Speaker says there are limitations to what he can do. He said the appropriate place for this discussion is the Standing Orders Committee, which will convene as soon as it can to figure out "what might be a set of rules... should events like this occur in the future".
'Pretty significant day': Luxon says National's position on bill 'unchanged'
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Speaking from inside Parliament, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged it was a "pretty significant day".
"Our position as the National Party is unchanged. We won't be supporting the bill beyond second reading and therefore it won't become law."
Luxon said the decision to shorten the submission period was ultimately a decision for the select committee.
Speaker to rule on MPs' behaviour last week
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The Speaker said he received letters from National, Act and NZ First about the conduct of some members during last week’s debate on the Treaty Principles Bill.
Those members have until Thursday to respond and then the Speaker will decide if there is a matter of Privilege.
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Speaker Gerry Brownlee watching the protest from the Black and White tiles.
People still arriving into central Wellington by train
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Hundreds of people appear to still be arriving on trains, including primary school students from the Hutt Valley.
Others are trying to board trains out of the city.
Passengers are packed like sardines onto some of the departing services, leaving many still stranded on the platform, unable to find a space.
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'Busiest morning ever on the Wellington rail network'
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Hīkoi more than double the size of the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed protest
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With Police estimating a crowd of 35,000 people, today’s hīkoi is more than double the size of the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed equivalent.
A Police statement from 5 May 2004 estimated there were 15,000 people marching through Wellington for the Foreshore and Seabed hīkoi. However, Parliamentary Hansard from the time shows MP Nanaia Mahuta citing an estimate of 23,000 people.
Today, police reckon the crowd in Wellington swelled to 35,000, engulfing Parliament, and large parts of Hill St. Molesworth St. and the area around Victoria University’s Pipitea campus. The march then stretched a considerable distance down Lambton Quay.
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People have been climbing over the hedges to get onto Parliament grounds.
'Te Tiriti is not just some historical text'
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Social media personality 'Paddy the Pākehā' is speaking in support of the protests.
"Te Tiriti is not just some historical text. It is a living, breathing document, with a vision of an Aotearoa for everyone."
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David Seymour had his social media team with him. It appears they filmed him walking onto the forecourt briefly before he went back inside.
Act Party 'can not be trusted' and 'has polarised the nation', protester says
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Atiria arrived in Wellington this morning from the Manawatū.
She could not get through to Parliament's grounds and is sitting on Molesworth St with her family.
"There are too many people to get in."
She felt she had been turned away as many of the entrances had been changed to exit only.
"I'm disappointed".
She said she was there because the Act Party could not be trusted and had polarised the nation.
Act caucus back inside Parliament after getting loudly booed
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Seymour was loudly booed as he waved to the crowd. The Act caucus quickly returned inside Parliament.
David Seymour left the forecourt as the crowd began to shout "Kill the bill".
'Everybody, get on the Māori roll' - Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi
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“Where to from here? Yes, rangatiratanga belongs to us outside this House. Everybody, get on the Māori roll. We need to make this a one-term government. It is not a one-term government, it is because we didn’t turn up," Waititi said.
Waititi has called the Government "fascist".
People chanting 'kill the bill'
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“I bumped into [David Seymour] yesterday. We had quite a heated conversation.
“I saw him on the news this morning saying Rawiri Waititi told him not to come. Damn right, don’t come," Waititi said.
“We’ve got a message for this Government. Kill the bill. Kill the bill.”
The crowd continued the chant.
“We are inspiring indigenous peoples around the world to rise up," Waititi said.
He thanked people for coming for their mokopuna.
“The whole world is watching,” Waititi said.
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Act Party members, including David Seymour, have walked outside.
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Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, addressing the crowd: “Kia ora, my sovereign peoples. Aotearoa is our kingdom. We must protect it."
David Seymour and Act Party members walk out to forecourt
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Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi addresses the crowd
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Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi is beginning to speak.
David Seymour walking out to Parliament forecourt
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Members of ACT including members and staff are standing inside Parliament, near doors that go out front.
David Seymour is among them.
David Seymour about to walk out to forecourt, Herald understands
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The Herald understands David Seymour and members of the Act Party are about to walk out onto the forecourt.
Fireworks continue
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More fireworks are being let off.
"Where is the privilege when Māori die seven years earlier than Pākehā?"
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Labour MP Peeni Henare is now speaking.
Henare says “we want to say to David Seymour, ‘where is the privilege when Māori die seven years earlier than Pākehā?'"
The Labour MP kept his speech extremely brief, mainly addressing Seymour directly.
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A sea of people continues to move closer to Parliament as others leave the area.
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There is a semi-regular stream of people leaving Parliament grounds but they are quickly being replaced by those seeking to move closer to the front.
'You're just going to turn it into a distraction': Officers ask climbers to come down from Backbencher pub
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A group of people have climbed up onto The Backbencher pub to get "the best view in the house".
A police officer below told them to get down.
"Can you guys just come down," she said.
"Because you're just going to turn it into a distraction."
Some of them then came down.
One said: "View's good from up there- way better than those trees".
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Waititi said: “I bumped into Seymour yesterday. We had quite a heated conversation. I saw him on the news this morning saying Rawiri Waititi told him not to come. Damn right, I told you not to come.”
Police believe more than 35,000 people had gathered on Parliament’s lawn by midday. Protesters first met at Waitangi Park in the southeast of the city centre. The crowds then marched along Oriental Parade, Courtney Place, Manners and Willis streets, and Lambton Quay.
As the first marchers descended on Parliament, the crowd stretched back 2km through the city as more people made their way their way northwest through central Wellington.
Parliament’s grounds were completely full, with thousands of people spilling on to surrounding streets in Wellington, before the crowd began dispersing at about 2.20pm.
A protester was condemned by members of the hīkoi for letting off a flare as demonstrators arrived at Parliament.
Police said 4000 people were already on Parliament grounds awaiting the arrival of the hīkoi when a flare was let off, sending orange and brown smoke into the sky.
Māori wardens and members of the hīkoi immediately responded, shouting “cut it out” and “come down and get your hiding”.
Later, a member of the crowd gathered at Parliament set off numerous fire crackers, disrupting speeches and making the crowd fall silent.
National ministers were preparing to front the crowds this morning. Among them were Health Minister Shane Reti, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka and Minister for Social Development Louise Upston.
The Māori Queen reached Parliament grounds with MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke at her side.
The number of protesters grew as the hīkoi advanced down the country over the past nine days.
Last week, Auckland commuters faced widespread disruption when thousands of hīkoi protesters marched across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, while close to 10,000 people marched on central Hastings and down State Highway 2 through Hawke’s Bay on Sunday.
What to expect today?
The hīkoi left Waitangi Park for Parliament at 9am and was expected to reach Parliament grounds at noon.
The route from Waitangi Park to Parliament followed the Golden Mile.
Māori artist Stan Walker was among those who sang.
Also in attendance was Māori Queen Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō. Kiingitanga spokesman Ngira Simmonds said she had a “message of hope for the nation and for us to come together to work through our current divisions”.
Protesters began leaving Parliament grounds at 2.30pm and returned to Waitangi Park by 4pm for a concert, karakia and farewell.
Police prepared
Police Minister Mark Mitchell earlier said the Government was “extremely sensitive” to the fact that such events could affect residents and businesses.
He said the organisers were aware of this and police had good planning in place to deal with any eventuality. He was confident it would be a peaceful hīkoi bringing a message to Parliament.
Mitchell said he had not seen any intelligence of a risk of occupation, like that seen during the violent anti-Covid protests of 2022. But police were able to respond if protesters had moved to occupy Parliament grounds.
“I don’t think you are going to see a counter-protest group that will be able to turn out and overwhelm the hīkoi,” Mitchell said earlier.
Hīkoi organisers had been working closely with police to reduce as much disruption as possible, he said.
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