Hīkoi to Parliament live updates: ‘Significant’ transport delays expected in Auckland today
A second wave of motorway mayhem is expected in Auckland over the next few hours as protesters against the Treaty Principles Bill head south to Huntly.
Convoys were planned to leave the city about 3pm and stay the night at Rangiriri Paa and Waahi Paa Marae near Huntly before continuing on to Wellington.
As of 4pm, traffic along southbound lanes on the Southern Motorway had backed up in the usual trouble spots from Newmarket to Mt Wellington, leaving an 8km backlog.
Thousands take over Harbour Bridge
Thousands of marchers protesting Government policies affecting Māori crossed Auckland Harbour Bridge earlier today.
The protest movement saw significant delays across the Auckland roading network this morning.
Police estimated a crowd of about 5000 while others say it could’ve reached more than 10,000 people, causing gridlock in both directions.
The hīkoi split into two groups, one making for Ihumātao near Auckland International Airport and the other to Bastion Point above Mission Bay.
Tamaki Drive was closed for marchers to walk from Okahu Bay to Bastion Point. It reopened about 2pm.
At noon, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said bridge lanes had opened in both directions and the previously blocked Curran St northbound on-ramp and Shelley Beach Rd southbound off-ramp would reopen shortly.
STORY CONTINUES AFTER THE LIVE BLOG
'Magnificent day': Willie Jackson on Hīkoi
Royce
"Well what a magnificent day and anyone who says there were any less than 10,000 people doesn't know what they are talking about," Willie Jackson told the Herald.
Police update on Hīkoi
Royce
Thousands of hīkoi participants have safely crossed through Auckland on their way to Wellington as part of Hīkoi mō te Tiriti.
The hīkoi left Northland on Monday 11 November and is travelling to Wellington, arriving at Parliament between Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 November.
Today (Wednesday 13 November), an estimated 5000 people crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge and as many as 2000 took part in a hīkoi from Okahu Bay to Bastion Point, Acting Assistant Commissioner Naila Hassan says.
“This morning we saw one of the largest concentrations ever of people crossing the Harbour Bridge in such a short time.”
Police have worked with other agencies to manage the large movement of people safely.
“Today has been a considerable exercise but the job is not over, and Police will remain focused on the hīkoi’s safe passage down the North Island.”
Police had a visible presence across Auckland on Wednesday, with the capability to respond to a range of demands, Acting Assistant Commissioner Hassan says.
“What we saw was a large crowd of people demonstrating peacefully as part of a permitted event; we’re pleased with the peaceful actions of hīkoi participants and how well motorists responded to periods of significant disruption.”
The hīkoi began moving over the Auckland Harbour Bridge at 9.30am, with the final participants crossing it shortly after 11.30am.
The two northbound lanes that had been closed reopened to traffic about midday.
A second hīkoi closed a section of Tamaki Drive, between Okahu Bay to Bastion Point, for about an hour from 12.40pm.
There were no significant issues at either event.
A Major Operations Centre, based at Police National Headquarters in Wellington, is providing logistical, resource and communication support to all districts along the hīkoi route.
Tomorrow, Thursday 14 November, there are expected to be disruptions across the roading network and in urban areas in Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Eastern Districts.
Police will monitor hīkoi movements and will work to ensure public safety and to minimise disruption to people going about their daily routine.
Waikato
On Thursday 14 November, the hīkoi is expected to travel from Whakatau ki Waahi Paa Marae, Huntly to arrive at FMG Stadium in Hamilton by 9am.
The hīkoi will march to Garden Place where a gathering is expected at around 11am.
The main hīkoi will then travel to Apumoana Marae, Rotorua where they will stay overnight.
Bay of Plenty
In the afternoon the main hīkoi will travel from Hamilton to Apumoana Marae, Rotorua where they will stay overnight.
A group from Tauranga will travel to meet the main hīkoi via State Highway 29.
Eastern
There will be hīkoi movement in Eastern District, specifically in Gisborne Tairawhiti on Thursday.
It is anticipated that this is going to impact on specific Gisborne roads on Thursday afternoon and early evening.
A hīkoi from Hinetapuarau Pou will head south towards Te Karaka after 10am.
A gathering is expected at Waerenga a Hika at 2pm, heading towards Heipipi Park in Gisborne at 4pm.
At approximately 5pm the hīkoi will leave Heipipi Park in the Gisborne CBD and walk across the Gladstone Road bridge and onto Wainui Road.
It is expected that the northbound lane and surrounding streets will be heavily affected until potentially 6pm or later.
The hīkoi will walk along Wainui Road until it reaches the intersection with London Road.
The end destination is Te Poho O Rawiri Marae, Ranfurly Road.
A hīkoi from Oweka will travel along State Highway 35 and is expected to at arrive at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae at 6pm.
Both hīkoi will travel to Te Poho o Rāwiri Marae in Gisborne where they plan to stay overnight.
Watch: Incredible drone footage shows size of hīkoi crossing Auckland harbour bridge
Royce
Marama Davidson: I felt your mana
James Wheeler
Marama Davidson: "My energy and immunity may not have been up to standing with my Green MP whānau today and the tens-of-thousands of you, ā-tinana. But I felt your mana as the hikoi arrived through Tāmaki Makaurau."
Hīkoi has reached Ihumatao
James Wheeler
Lois Turei
Tired after marching 11km across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, through the city, and along Tāmaki Drive, some have decided to take the bus back to town. Others at Bastion Point are walking back to the city along Tāmaki Drive.
Seymour encourages complaints for school absences
Lois Turei
Associate Education Minister David Seymour and his party, Act, have retweeted a post on social media from David Farrar encouraging people to complain to the Teaching Council around schools marking absences around the protest as "justified".
Lois Turei
Lois Turei
At Bastion Point, the crowd of up to 1000 is being directed towards free food supplied by the Public Service Association and Good Samaritan families. The crowd began to disperse just before 2.30pm.
Lois Turei
The final (uphill) leg to Bastion Point
Lois Turei
Tail of the hīkoi passes Ōkahu Bay
Lois Turei
The last stragglers towards the back of the march are passing Ōkahu Bay Beach. Motor traffic has been allowed back onto the eastbound lane on Tāmaki Drive.
Lois Turei
Lois Turei
Lois Turei
Lois Turei
Tamaki Drive closed from Ngāpipi Rd east
Lois Turei
It is causing a backlog from the intersection back into the city, as police officers direct traffic towards Ōrākei. Despite the delays, traffic is flowing, though moving slowly.
Lois Turei
Many of those in the hīkoi are still an hour's walk from Ōkahu Bay and Bastion Point. A strong sea breeze is blowing, keeping marchers cool along the route .People are waving Tino Rangatiratanga flags from the Tāmaki Drive pedestrian overpass.
Police officers are spread among the marchers and posted at spots along the route. Protesters have been thanking officers as they walk past.
Protesters walking along Tāmaki Drive
Vera Alves
Protesters are walking along Tāmaki Drive at the bottom of Parnell.
People are straggling along the footpath in groups and pairs as motorists, also part of the protest, drive by tooting and hollering out windows.
Road closures and diversions as hīkoi heads to Bastion Point
Vera Alves
A section of a major road on Auckland's waterfront is now closed for the hīkoi to walk from Okahu Bay to Bastion Pt.
Police said Tamaki Dr is now closed between Ngapipi Rd and Patteson Ave.
Diversions are in place and motorists are advised to expect delays.
Scenes from Okahu Bay
Vera Alves
Actor Simon Prast joins hīkoi
Vera Alves
Actor Simon Prast on Auckland's Harbour Bridge this morning.
"It was my huge honour to join the Hikoi this morning and march in solidarity with my Māori brothers and sisters," he said.
'Who ever said it was 5000 can't count'
Vera Alves
One of the organisers said the crowd was 75% Māori and 25% Pākeha, Pasifika, Asian.
"Who ever said it was 5000 can't count."
South Island hīkoi making its way to Wellington
Vera Alves
There's also another group making their way to Wellington from the South Island.
Te Pāti Māori MP Takuta Ferris is leading that section.
Why this Iraqi immigrant is joining the hīkoi
Vera Alves
Traffic delays eased in Auckland after bridge lanes reopen
Vera Alves
In the final update following this morning's Harbour Bridge protest march NZTA says all lanes and related on and off ramps have now reopened.
The delays on the motorways have also eased.
Motorists advised to expect delays
Vera Alves
Police say the hīkoi is continuing to move towards Okahu Bay on foot, through Auckland's CBD and along Tamaki Dr.
A spokesperson said while participants were using footpaths, motorists in the city were being advised to expect delays.
"We would like to thank motorists for their cooperation so far today and police are continuing to monitoring the hīkoi as it moves through the city."
Vera Alves
Chanting in downtown Auckland as another wave of diverse protesters pass through.
It’s almost another 5kmwalk to Okahu Bay for those who have just passed by the ferry building.
City streets gridlocked as protesters move through central Auckland
Vera Alves
Streets in downtown Auckland are clogged as protesters make their way through the city to one of two meeting spots.
The northbound lanes of the Northern Motorway from the Central Motorway Junction to the Auckland Harbour Bridge are slow moving after the protesters earlier marched across the bridge.
College Hill and Victoria St to Queen St are also badly congested as the convoys of vehicles and marchers take on the narrow city streets.
The streets around Victoria Park, near to the northbound motorway on-ramp, are gridlocked.
Quay St at the bottom of town, the route some protesters are taking to Okahu Bay, is also jammed.
CubaDupa delays announcement out of 'respect' for hīkoi
Vera Alves
Wellington's CubaDupa festival has pushed back its 2025 line-up announcement out of "respect" for the hīkoi.
The first five artists confirmed for the street party were supposed to be unveiled on Tuesday but will now be named two days later.
"Out of respect for the Hīkoi mō to Titiri arriving in Wellington on Tues Nov 19th, we will be pushing this back until Nov 21st.
"Our focus on the 19th will be on Tangata Whenua and on supporting this Kaupapa", organisers said in a statement.
Christchurch crowd continues to grow
Vera Alves
In Christchurch, the group gathering at the Bridge of Remembrance has rapidly grown in size.
Vera Alves
Vera Alves
Part of the group have stopped outside the ferry building on Quay St in downtown Auckland as those opting to walk to Okahu Bay continue along the footpath.
Car horns are blaring in downtown.
Vera Alves
At noon NZTA said lanes were open in both directions and the Curran St northbound on-ramp and Shelley Beach Rd southbound off-ramp would reopen shortly.
"Allow extra time as delays northbound through the area slowly ease," said NZTA.
'Generation Treaty is on the rise': Rawiri Waititi expects hīkoi numbers to quadruple by next week
Vera Alves
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said he was elated and proud of the unity on display in the hīkoi and expected the numbers to grow before it hit Wellington next week.
“By the time we get to Wellington this would have quadrupled in size and in mass because people are really concerned about how the country has been divided through legislation like the Treaty Principles Bill.”
He said the hīkoi would go to Ōrākei's Bastion Point, where Joe Hawke led the land occupation for Ngāti Whātua in 1978 and then to Ihumātao.
His message to Act leader David Seymour was “to stop the division.”
“Only 8% voted you into Parliament. Stop dividing the country and start uniting the country, like we have today.”
“Everybody is concerned with this bill that has been introduced by Act. David Seymour, Don Brash, Hobson’s Pledge and many of those alike who have a kind of prehistoric thinking that we’re still back in the 1800s or want to take the country back 40, 50 years. Aotearoa will not stand for it.”
He said “Gen T” - Generation Treaty – was “on the rise.”
“Te Tiriti o Waitangi was abut unification and this bill is about division.”
All Harbour Bridge lanes open again, long delays still expected
Vera Alves
All lanes are open again on the Auckland Harbour Bridge but motorists heading north are warning of long delays.
Vera Alves
Vera Alves
The staggered group have turned onto Queen St, still waving an assortment of flags as multiple onlookers take photos and offer words of encouragement.
Vera Alves
Last group leaves Harbour Bridge
Vera Alves
Vera Alves
Car horns, cheering and siren music is filling downtown Auckland as the group continue their voyage to Okahu Bay.
Meanwhile in Christchurch
Vera Alves
A few hundred protesters have also taken to the streets to protest the Treaty Principles Bill.
Hīkoi arrives in central Auckland
Vera Alves
The first group has entered the city centre.
Vera Alves
The tail of the hīkoi has made it across the other side of the bridge and are walking down Curran St.
They are cheering loudly and applauding.
Vera Alves
The front of the group continue to approach the city centre, exiting Westhaven Marina and marching adjacent to Victoria Park while singing Waiata.
Vera Alves
“The walk is about two hours,” organisers tell protesters intended to make the walk to Bastion Point.
Vera Alves
An hour after the first group arrived over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The last group are finally beginning their descent down the other side.
Thousands of protesters walk across the harbour bridge
Vera Alves
The Hīkoi mō te Tiriti crosses the Auckland Harbour Bridge into Auckland CBD.
Protesters heading to central Auckland
Vera Alves
The group of protesters have entered the Westhaven Marina and are walking towards the Auckland CBD.
Vera Alves
Vera Alves
Labour Minister Willie Jackson has also joined the hīkoi.
Vera Alves
“Hikoi to the right, carkoi to the left,” organisers are telling the crowd through various megaphones.
Delay your journey or allow extra time - NZTA tells Auckland commuters
Vera Alves
NZTA says delays are continuing to the approach in both directiors to the harbour bridge.
The Stafford Rd northbound off-ramp had now fully reopened.
"Delay your journey or allow extra time," NZTA tweeted.
Vera Alves
Around 5000 protesters cross the bridge, now heading to central Auckland
Vera Alves
Police are continuing to monitor the progress of those participating in Hīkoi mō te Tiriti through parts of Auckland today.
Participants gathered in Onepoto Domain and at 9.30am began to hīkoi on foot across the harbour bridge.
An estimated 5000 people were taking part in this morning’s hīkoi, which has been peaceful, with no major issues reported, said police.
The first groups had completed the crossing and would now be making their way through the CBD via Fanshawe St.
The ‘tail’ of the hīkoi is making its way onto the bridge now.
Traffic is continuing to flow in both directions.
"We continue to remind motorists to expect delays in the vicinity of both side of the harbour bridge today."
Police encouraged motorists to use the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi journey planner for real-time information on any delays at https://journeys.nzta.govt.nz
Vera Alves
Protesters meeting at Okahu Bay at midday
Vera Alves
Organisers have just said they are meeting at Okahu Bay at 12pm.
“We’re not walking there obviously like how we walked over the bridge…it’s up to you how you get there if you want to join us.”
Vera Alves
Protest will move to Okahu Bay
Todd Murray
Organisers are instructing people to make their way to their cars and head to Okahu Bay for the continuation of the hīkoi protest.
Police are directing people over loudspeaker to “keep moving”.
Police warn commuters to 'factor in delays to your journeys'
Todd Murray
Police say motorists need to factor in delays in journeys across Auckland's central city roads today.
Two lanes northbound over the Auckland Harbour Bridge were closed from St Mary’s Bay ahead of participants in Hīkoi mō te Tiriti crossing. Four connected off and on-ramps on either side of the bridge were also closed.
"An estimated 5000 people are preparing to cross the bridge this morning and we continue to remind Auckland motorists to expect delays across some parts of the city’s roading network today.
"Please continue to factor in delays to your journeys.
"Our focus today is the safety of everyone – hīkoi participants and road users."
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
First of the hīkoi protesters complete Harbour Bridge march
Todd Murray
The first of the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti protesters have arrived over the bridge just over an hour after setting off.
They are being welcomed onto Curran St in Westhaven by a number of supporters.
About 10 police officers are on standby around the corner from the group.
Northbound traffic on the Harbour Bridge is continuing to crawl, with cars beeping their horns as they pass the protesters.
The supporters are now performing a pōwhiri as the group approaches.
Todd Murray
The front of the group has now exited the Harbour Bridge.
They are beginning their walk down the Curran St off-ramp.
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Hour-long delays for Harour Bridge commuters
Todd Murray
Traffic heading north is now banked up back to Newmarket on the motorway.
Delays are now more than an hour for those electing to use the bridge.
Todd Murray
The first group of protesters are approaching the Curran St off-ramp.
The group can be seen waving from on the bridge to a number of people who have gathered in Westhaven, waving flags in support.
A steady stream of protesters can be seen right up the southern side of the bridge.
'Here they come'
Todd Murray
Protestors have crossed over the top of the bridge and can be seen coming down the southern side, approaching Curran St.
People among the welcoming party are beginning to get excited, saying “here they come”.
'It’s like an earthquake'
Todd Murray
People are now stumbling as they walk down the bridge due to the swaying.
People are being forced to hold onto each other.
"It’s like an earthquake,” one person said.
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
The Harbour Bridge is shaking and swaying, as protesters grip onto the sides and each other when large trucks come past.
Todd Murray
A continuous stream of cars beeping can be heard from the Curran St on-ramp, where over 100 people have gathered to welcome the first wave of protestors.
Numerous police officers are blocking the road, preventing supporters from approaching the bridge.
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Protesters are struggling to keep hold of flags as strong gusts hit the bridge.
The crowd has slowed as a haka is performed.
The marchers are being asked to continue walking by organisers.
The front of the hīkoihas now reached the peak of the bridge.
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Police are attempting to get the cars slowing down traffic to move, as they move in line with the protest.
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Traffic is crawling leading up to and over the Auckland Harbour Bridge as police have closed two northbound lanes.
Some cars approaching the bridge can be seen draping flags out windows.
The first group of protestors are yet to reach the peak of the bridge.
Todd Murray
Protesters on the other side of the bridge in cars have stopped traffic in order to protest.
A red Suzuki Swift with an elderly woman driver is sitting smiling at the police at the front of the line of cars.
Hīkoi participants walk across Harbour Bridge
Todd Murray
The first group is well on the Harbour Bridge now.
The chants are continuing and passing cars with flags are honking their horns.
One of the organisers told the Herald there must be at least 20,000 people there and police said people were still arriving to take part in the walk across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
The crowd is now singing waiata as they walk slowly towards the bridge on the Stafford Rd off-ramp.
The leaders continue to chant ahead of the crowd.
Police have let through the second wave of protesters.
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
STORY CONTINUES
“Allow extra time as delays northbound through the area slowly ease,” NZTA said.
During this morning’s rush hour, the bridge was operating with all four lanes in either direction but NZTA warned two northbound lanes would be closed later on.
The group is protesting Government policies affecting Māori — including the contentious Treaty Principles Bill.
The Treaty Principles Bill, advocated for by the Act Party, seeks to clarify the principles of the Treaty.
While National opposed the policy during the election campaign, the party agreed during coalition negotiations to support the legislation to a select committee. Luxon has said National will not back the bill past its first reading.
The Waitangi Tribunal last week said the Treaty Principles Bill would be “the worst, most comprehensive breach of the Treaty/Te Tiriti in modern times”.
Thousands of protesters gathered at Te Kamaka Marae on the North Shore last night ahead of this morning’s mass hīkoi.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi could be seen welcoming people into the marae.
Auckland motorists were fuming last night about the “deliberate disruption”.
One questioned why police were allowing protesters to march across the harbour bridge during rush hour, saying authorities were “failing the vast majority of the public” to accommodate a group of “disaffected” demonstrators.
Police major operations director Superintendent Kelly Ryan said police were continuing to work closely with Hīkoi mō te Tiriti organisers to ensure the event remains peaceful and people remain safe.
Acting Mayor Desley Simpson said she supported the message to Aucklanders to plan ahead for their travel.
“Traffic disruption is expected across the city. I am very conscious it’s exam time for many students so please ensure you leave plenty of time to travel to and from exams,” she said.
“If you are using public transport please check AT’s journey planner and if you are driving, real-time information can be found on NZTA’s journey planner.”
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