Hīkoi mō te Tīriti: What you need to know
Monday, 18 November 2024
“It has been a journey.”
After eight days, Hīkoi mō te Tīriti (March for the Treaty) organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi is ready lead a tens of thousands-strong march to the steps of Parliament over the contentious Treaty Principles Bill.
“It has certainly felt longer than a week, but it had been beautiful every step of the way,' he said at Ngāti Toa Domain in Porirua on Monday, ahead of the final push into central Wellington.
The Golden Mile will be closed and major bus routes detoured as separate hīkoi come together at Waitangi Park near Te Papa, before heading to Parliament.
The Treaty Principles Bill passed its first reading last week, during Te Pāti Māori MP Hana Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke initiated a haka, landing her a 24-hour suspension.
Kapa-Kingi expected an 'unprecedented' turnout on Tuesday, with more than 50,000 people expected to flood Parliament grounds.
The hīkoi was not a protest but a response and “a moment for all Māori to embrace”, he said.
He said Act leader David Seymour's Bill, which was the catalyst for the hīkoi, was a “blink of the eye”.
“I just hope he [Seymour] one day feels proud to be Māori.”
People from all over will converge on Wellington on Tuesday, and have to be at Waitangi Park in the central city by 9am.
Police said the crowd would be an estimated 30,000 people.
Detours and road closures
All rail lines will be open during the day, with increased capacity between 9am and 3pm.
From 9am the Golden Mile – Courtenay Place, Manners St, Willis St and Lambton Quay – and the Wellington Bus Interchange will be closed to all vehicles, including buses.
Bowen St and Molesworth St will also be closed as the hīkoi nears Parliament.
Vehicles will be detoured along the waterfront quays ‒ Waterloo, Customhouse and Jervois quays, and Cable St. Temporary bus stops will be available at Featherston St at Waring Taylor St.
Route 22 to and from Victoria University will be cancelled. Route 22 services to Johnsonville will begin on Taranaki St at Vivian St (outside Briscoes) and detour via Ghuznee St and The Terrace.
Once the hīkoi has reached Parliament, alternate stops will open on Lambton Central (near Farmers), Featherston St and Brandon St.
Route 2, 4, 22, and 24 services will detour via The Terrace.
Bus and train passengers can stay up to date with the latest travel information on the Metlink website or app.
Major delays expected for motorists
Police said delays were expected to begin on Monday as an event wrapped up at Ngāti Toa Domain in Porirua.
Motorists were advised they should plan ahead and take extra caution on the roads.
Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said motorists on Tuesday should expect significant delays through the city centre.
“If you are trying to get from the Kāpiti Coast to the [Wellington] airport or from Hutt Valley to the airport you should think about starting one or two hours earlier than you would normally do.”
Those who can work from home may want to, MacLean said.
NZ Transport Agency said it would closely monitor the impact of the hīkoi on the Greater Wellington transport network and provide real-time updates for road users on any delays or disruptions to state highways.
Health NZ–Te Whatu Ora said anyone heading to Wellington Regional Hospital on Tuesday morning or early afternoon should allow extra time to get to appointments.
Te Whatu Ora anticipated there may be “significant congestion” on the roads between 6am and 1pm on Tuesday.
The route
The expected route on Tuesday for the hīkoi by car is along SH59 then SH1 towards Wellington city.
A convoy will move from Takupūwāhia Marae in Porirua to Waitangi Park.
Another group is expected to leave Petone from 4am on Tuesday on foot and march via the Petone Esplanade along State Highway 2, then down Hutt Road and Thorndon Quay to Waitangi Park.
Hīkoi mō te Tīriti will leave Waitangi Park at 9am and march along the Golden Mile – Courtenay Place, Manners St, Willis St and Lambton Quay, finishing at Parliament grounds by midday.
There, a wero (challenge) will be laid down to challenge the Government and the Treaty Principles Bill.
After the event organisers intend to return to Waitangi Park for 4pm for kai, a concert, karakia, and farewell.
Where the hīkoi has come from
The main hīkoi began in Cape Reinga on November 11, but the Wellington event will see many groups come together.
A group from the South Island is due to take the ferry and arrive in Wellington on Monday evening.
A group in Wairarapa began a hīkoi on Monday morning, leaving Masterton at 9am. They are expected to travel through Carterton, before reaching Greytown on Monday afternoon.
Security and safety
Police said there had been no significant issues from Hīkoi mō te Tiriti.
Māori wardens are a key part of the hīkoi and organisers have urged all participants to prioritise safety and be respectful and peaceful.
Wellington Free Ambulance will be on site at Waitangi Park.
Internal Affairs says there is a permanent security presence inside the National Library at He Tohu, the exhibition that houses Te Tiriti o Waitangi, He Whakaputanga ‒ the Declaration of Independence ‒ and the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition.
The documents are in protective display cases.
Toilet facilities
About 100 extra toilets will be available between Waitangi Park and outside Parliament, Wellington City Council confirmed.
Portaloos will be open all day at
– Barnett Street car park next to Waitangi Park
– Waitangi Park near the basketball court, opposite New World
– Parliament (between Parliament and the bus station)
The toilets at the St James Theatre on Courtenay Place will also be available from 9.30am until 2.30pm.
There are fixed public toilets on the outskirts of Waitangi Park, in Courtenay Place opposite Blair St and at the Wellington Station Bus interchange near Parliament.