Hīkoi size about 42,500 when it reached Parliament, police say
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
What you need to know
More than 42,000 people are estimated to have taken part in the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti
The hīkoi has finished at Parliament
Police warn traffic delays will continue through the afternoon as the large crowd disperses
The hīkoi is a response to the introduction of the Treaty Principles Bill
Read about how the hīkoi unfolded below, with the latest posts at the top
Hīkoi size was about 42,500, police say
Police have estimated the size of the hīkoi at about 42,500 people when it reached Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
That was up from an earlier police estimate of 35,000 earlier in the day.
Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said the estimate covered people gathered at the Parliamentary precinct and the surrounding streets.
Ambulances responded to about 20 medical-related incidents at Parliament and Waitangi Park, and one person was taken to hospital. “Multiple” people were also reported missing during the day, predominantly children, Parnell said.
“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 co-operation and patience while roads were closed.”
Police urged hīkoi attendees to travel safely as they began their journey home on Tuesday evening.
Police urge patience, with more traffic disruption ahead
Police expect traffic, on foot and in vehicles, to get heavy in the city again as the large crowd leaves Parliament and the central city.
Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell urged people to be patient.
“Movement may be slow so we encourage everyone to take care, and follow the directions of Police or partner agencies.”
Hīkoi attendees returning to Waitangi Park were 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.”
Police were on point duty on Thorndon Quay, directing heavy traffic as people headed out of Wellington.
Winston Peters disputes hīkoi size: ‘I’ve seen far bigger ones than this’
NZ First leader Winston Peters said the hīkoi was smaller than the 35,000 people estimated by police.
“I’ve seen far bigger ones than this,” he said.
“The Springbok tour, all those other ones were bigger than this. I mean I put this at about 22,000 max.”
Asked if he understood why people felt so deeply that they had to march, Peters said: “I don't, because this bill is fatally flawed in its construction. It was never going to work, and we said so.
“What's inexplicable is that serious Māori leaders going all the way back to 1867 have come here and respected this place. As a famous chief from Tauranga said years ago, we sit here in the seats of princes, and we should act in a princely fashion. This bill was always flawed.”
He also said he was “very saddened” that Māori Queen Nga wai hono i te po had been “dragged into politics”.
“She should be above politics. I've always had that view going way back to her grandmother.
“I think at her age, she should be given the right advice, keep above politics. In the end, that's what it is to be in her position,” Peters said.
Hīkoi leaves Parliament
The crowd has been thinning out but there are still some people savouring the moment at Parliament. The speakers have finished, and thousands of people are slowly heading across town to Waitangi Park where there will be kai and music to finish the day.
The rally ended with a haka named Te Tiriti o Waitangi, facing the 'Toitū Te Tiriti me Te Whakaputanga banner', that followed the rōpū down Te Ika-a-Maui.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a haka first performed at the 1986 Polynesian Festival by winners Te Waka Huia, describes injustices faced by Māori as a result of continued Treaty breaches.
PM not meeting hīkoi organisers
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who would have had a bird’s-eye view of the hīkoi from the Beehive’s ninth floor, told reporters while he headed into the House that he would not be meeting the event’s organisers after all. Some National MPs did meet the crowd out the front of Parliament.
“I was open to doing so, but the reality, frankly, is that many of them are Te Pāti Māori affiliated,” Luxon said.
He said there were strong emotions on all sides of the debate.
“It's no doubt we're going through a challenging time, and I understand that, you know, I've been talking to iwi leaders from when I first came to politics, as I did before I came to politics, and you know, I understand the frustration they have around the Treaty Principles Bill in particular.
“I don't support the bill, therefore it won't become law, because we'll be voting it down when it comes back to Parliament for a second reading. That's our long standing position, there is no change to that at all.”
Seymour compared the protest's size, estimated to be 35,000 strong by police, as equivalent to the march against changes to the Dunedin Hospital rebuild, of which there were comparable estimates of crowd size.
“You're at the same level as a protest about a hospital in a city, what, half, a third, the size of Wellington. You got to put these things in a bit of perspective here, and you’ve got to remember there's another 5 million people out there who are working and going to school and have a view as well.
“They're going to be able to express that view, if they choose, through the select committee submission process,” Seymour said.
He maintained his Treaty Principles Bill had not created division, but “uncovered” division.
NZ First MP Shane Jones said he was “slightly surprised” by the size of the hīkoi given the bill would not pass.
“It's proved to be a clarion call, a rallying cry. Maybe the Opposition parties will try and harvest some votes, but at the end of the day, it's MMP politics, and David [Seymour] put a shingle up, now he is inseparably linked to the bill.”
He said it had been 30-odd years between Dame Whina Cooper's march and the foreshore and seabed march, and 20-odd years between that march and today.
“Every generation, it appears that Māoridom gather the tribes together and reflect where they stand on particular pivotal issues,” Jones said.
“The Māori race is now very young … They didn't grow up the way we did, but a lot of voting power's young power, and my message to them, though, is that a viral moment that goes global does not necessarily survive. And if you've got any doubts about [that] look at Jacinda Ardern.”
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke addresses hīkoi
After receiving a 220,000 signature petition against the Treaty Principles Bill, Māori Party MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke addressed the crowd, to roaring applause.
At the same time in the debating chamber, NZ First's Shane Jones and ACT's David Seymour were urging Speaker Gerry Brownlee to take stronger action to reprimand MPs who break Parliament’s rules.
Jones and Seymour argued that in the age of social media, there were MPs who no longer saw consequences in breaking Standing Orders - the rules for MPs.
David Seymour heads out to hīkoi with Act MPs
As Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi spoke to the crowd, ACT leader David Seymour has come onto the forecourt with a contingent of ACT MPs, flanked by police officers.
Having spent roughly five minutes standing near the entrance to Parliament, the group moved back into the building. “I went to listen and I heard everything…,” he said, before being drowned out by Waititi speaking to the crowd.
Waititi told Seymour: “You’re god damn right I told you not to come.” He also led a “kill the bill” chant.
The ACT leader waved to the crowd and took in the sights for a few minutes before heading back inside.
There was some audible abuse being directed to Seymour from the crowd.
Green MP Tamatha Paul then railed against the “stupid, little bill” in a speech to the crowd, in which she asked that those in front of her “give it up” for Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi Clarke — to a massive round of applause.
“Today, we are not victims. We are strong, we are resilient … we will continue to rise,” she said.
Parliament grounds full as more than 35,000 people take part in hīkoi
The people who can’t get into the already crowded Parliament grounds are being steered into closed streets around Parliament.
More than 35,000 people are estimated by police to have taken part in the hīkoi.
The tail end of the hīkoi had now reached Willis St, with Courtenay Place and Taranaki St reopening. Bowen St, Molesworth St and Lambton Quay are closed.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti continues to be a peaceful event, Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said in a statement.
'We are pleased to continue to report no issues.”
“Members of the public can expect to see a continued police presence across the city, to ensure the safety of those involved in the hīkoi as well as other members of the community.”
Participants are expected to be on Parliament grounds until mid-afternoon, before heading back to Waitangi Park for a concert to conclude the day.
Parnell said traffic delays will continue through the afternoon.
“We ask everyone to remain aware of the disruption through the city as the afternoon progresses and ask that everybody exercises patience to ensure safety.
‘Empowering, uplifting and powerful’: Hīkoi speaker tells crowd at Parliament
The crowd at Parliament grounds is cheering after the Ngāti Toa leader Helmut Modlik told them they have just been part of one of the most empowering, uplifting and powerful moments of New Zealand's history.
'When we think about not one more hand on our mokopuna, this hīkoi is a response to that,' he said.
He thanked everyone who had “worked so hard to bring this hīkoi to Poneke”.
'To those who would divide us whānau, it's too late, we're already one people,' Modlik said.
'To those who would divide us, you're too late.
'That's why we're all here today, whānau. To tell the truth, to do what's right, to do it respectfully, but to make it clear, we ain't going to take this crap no more,' Modlik told the crowd to cheers.
'Here's the secret, if you didn't know, unity is the key to unlock the power of tino rangatiratanga,' he said.
He encouraged the crowd to act in a 'mana-enhancing way' and be humble.
'It's not about getting your way, it's about having your say.'
The sun is bearing down on a the crowd and wardens are looking out for people, escorting people in and out of the grounds if needed. Bottles of water are also being handed out which are a welcome relief.
Some people are sitting down, eating sandwiches and having a bit of a rest.
Hīkoi organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi has told the crowd that today the “Māori nation has been born”. The hīkoi was not a reaction, but a valid response, he said.
“It’s up to us if this moment dissipates today, or lives forever.”
“Pākehā mā, you should not fear Māori liberation. Because Māori liberation goes hand in hand with the liberation of all people who live in Aotearoa. . . Everyone gets a feed on this marae. No-one gets left behind,” he said, to applause from across parliament grounds.
A running theme of the speeches has been encouraging Māori to enrol to vote, a message Kapa-Kingi reasserted.
“I want to say again, I am proud of you all. Let’s get on this waka,” he said, concluding his speech.
Hīkoi nears Parliament as thousands wait for its arrival
Thousands of people sitting on Parliament grounds awaiting the arrival of the híkoi from Waitangi Park.
Waiata are blasting out from speakers and the Māori flag, united tribes flag, Toitū te Tīriti flags, Palestinian flags are flying high.
The crowd is peaceful and calm, with children playing in the trees and running around the lawn.
Gang patches from all sides including gang flags can be seen on the lawn and around the Parliament grounds.
Along Lambton Quay they marched, marching being too formal a term for a mix of chanting, laughing, singing and haka.
Signs were professionally made, or handpainted, held aloft on a stick, or with arms, or carried in front of the chest.
Honour the Treaty they said, Toitu Te Tiriti, Empower Indigenous Voices, Kill the Bill and more.
With motorised traffic already bumped from the Quay, the hīkoi expanded off the road and onto footpaths lined with well-wishers and rubber-neckers. They were not left out: 'Thank you we need you all,' an elderly woman marcher repeated time and again.
And then there were high fives for the non-participants, 'Thanks for your support' slap, slap, slap.
There was no human stereotype of a typical marcher - all ages, limping elderly, sleeping babies and toddlers, men, women, Māori, Pākehā, girls in school uniform, a mother giving her 'but why?' kids a history lesson as they walked. Her lesson started with 'the Government wants to' then was lost in a wave of noise, punctuated by the bellow of conch blowers and chanters.
'Kia Ora, haere mai, you're part of it too,' a friendly marcher said, 'I'd like to know what you're taking notes for,' said a father concerned his sleeping child was being targetted.
There was the incongruous: a watching uncle from spotted his niece among the marchers. She stopped for a beaming selfie after exclaiming 'cuz, long time.' Uncle was from Maketu on the Bay of Plenty coastline, 'where the Te Arawa waka landed,' he offered, but not his name.
Among the No Kiwi Without Iwi and Never Ceded Sovereignty signs, and the red and black tsunami were some odd misfits: a hat emblazoned with Machu Pichu Cusco, a floral dress in yellows and pinks, a shirt with Bay of Plenty Pig Hunting club.
Even Sir Robert 'Bom' Gillies. 12 days ago the last member of the 28th (Māori) Battalion to die was there in spirit, with a marcher clutching his portrait.
It was a hikoi that defied stereotyping, yet captured the spirit of a country in the throes of a battle with its own self identity.
Hīkoi mō te Tīriti thousands make way to Parliament
Central Wellington had a new red, black and white buzz this morning, with pushchairs and people adorned with the Tino Rangatiratanga flag as all roads led to the front lawn of Parliament.
Smiles, moko, and a sense of destiny rippled along the capital's footpaths, with the occasional camera-toting cruise ship group looking bemused to find themselves entangled in Kiwi politics.
In cafe groups fuelled up for the big day, a day one passer-by called destiny.
Standing at the Bowen Street-Lambton Quay corner adjacent to Parliament, two teenage girls were talking of the big day.
'I woke up this morning so excited,' one said.
'I watched the Dame Whina Cooper documentary the other day, and it was so emotional. Who would have thought we would have to come back? It's destiny.'
More than 2000 people were already waiting at Parliament Grounds where there was singing, sitting and sliding.
Older people sat in chairs, others on blankets on the grassy lawn while children seemed to forget their No 1 task for the day, whizzing down the slide with the usual playground type joy.
Cellphones were out 'where are you? I'm sitting just near the slide, see you soon.'
As well as red, black and white there was the standard bright orange vests worn by a group of Māori Wardens.
Warden strolled the streets as well, on the lookout for trouble.
But trouble seemed hard to find, unless music and fluttering flags constituted an issue.
In the city, a peek into cafes prompted the thought that if Wellington could host more protests, then the lamented lost customer problem might be solved.
In the melting pot were those walking through to work or watching, in suits, with handbags, sensible trousers and business jackets.
Or T-shirts and golf caps. Sandals and sweat-tops.
One woman clad in semi-formal black, holding a tino rangatiratanga And a pink handbag.
As the crowd approached the Embassy theatre, a small group welcomed the hīkoi with a haka.
Those in the hīkoi are performing two haka as they walk down Courtney Place - ka mate and toia mai. Taonga puoro can also be heard throughout the crowd.
Iwi leaders from all across the country including Ngāti Toa’s Helmut Modlik are leading the hīkoi. Eru Kapa-Kingi, the hīkoi organiser, is among those at the front of the crowd.
Police estimate more than 15,000 people were packed into Waitangi Park to be part of the march as it heads towards Parliament.
Wellington woman Diana Ranger, 83, is tangata tīriti (Pākehā) and has been involved in protecting Māori rights since 1963.
She was supporting the hīkoi because of 'anathema' towards the Treaty Principles Bill. 'We are not bringing in racism. Over my dead body.
'When the chips are down, Pākehā will not put up with Māori bashing.'
Large crowds are still filing out of Waitangi Park at 10am while the front of the hīkoi makes its way down Courtenay Place.
Rows of people, 10 deep, line the sidewalk in support.
And balconies surrounding the roads are crowded with people as locals stop their day to watch the passing march.
A very small police presence is visible as the group travels through the city - Māori wardens are doing most of the work guiding the crowd.
There are people here on foot, in cars, on horses, bikes and wheelchairs.
Some of the signs are reading “Proud to be Māori” and “Pākehā stand with Māori it's way more fun”.
Hipkins warns Govt opening Pandora’s box of division
Ahead of meeting with the Hikoi, Labour leader Chris Hipkins has lashed the Government for allowing what he calls a Pandora’s box of division on race relations to be opened ahead of the hikoi’s arrival at Parliament.
“I think the sooner this bill is, you know, voted down and out, the better. But the reality here is Pandora's box has been opened. Christopher Luxon and David Seymour, Winston Peters, they all signed up to open this debate,” he said on Tuesday morning
“It's going to be, even when the bill is gone, it's going to be very difficult, I think, to put things back together again, because the division here that this bill is going to create won't go away in a hurry.”
“The goodwill that's taken decades to build up is being torn apart, and I don't think that's going to leave New Zealand in a better position to move forward in a positive way.”
The Labour leader said that he would be attending and Peeni Henare would be speaking for the Labour Party on the front lawn of Parliament.
“I think it is a really strong sign that New Zealanders are actually unifying in a positive way, rather than allowing this bill to be a source of division, I hope that spirit will continue.”
Patched gang members among crowd at Parliament
Patched gang members from the Mongrel Mob, Black Power, Head Hunters and Killer Beez are all among the crowd gathering on Parliament grounds.
One Mongrel Mob member, who asked to only be referred to as Whare, had travelled with his chapter from the Hawke’s Bay to attend today’s hīkoi.
For Whare, today marked a protest against both the Treaty Principles Bill and the gang patch ban due to come into effect on Thursday.
“This is my whānau, they’re tearing us apart,” he said.
Having been in and out of prison, Whare had come to view his fellow gang members as his brothers, who he was scared would no longer recognise him without his patch.
National MPs hope for peaceful, safe demonstration
The hīkoi’s been called “joyous” by one National Party MP who had been out in the crowd, while another MP said they were hoping for a peaceful demonstration.
“We … obviously would want everybody to be safe and for it to be a peaceful demonstration or articulation of a point of view,” said Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Paul Goldsmith.
When asked on the way to National’s weekly caucus meeting if Prime Minister Christopher Luxon would be appearing in front of the crowd, Goldsmith said that “that's something for him to decide”.
It is understood that at this stage it is unlikely the prime minister will go out on to the forecourt.
Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti Tama Potaka said that he had been out in the crowd earlier and said it was a joyous day, attended by some of his relatives and many New Zealanders.
“Many of the people here are my relations have come from Taranaki and around these parts, and I'm tied into them by whakapapa, but also they have evoked and expressed their genuine concern with Treaty Principles bill and other things”.
Potaka said that he was “feeling very, very proud and very motivated by the intention of many, many New Zealanders to be involved in the korero that we're having who have come here with a very peaceful and democratic appetite to bring their concerns to the Aotea forecourt of Parliament.”
“It’s a beautiful day. The Hikoi was a culmination of many days and many issues, actually, but people were really in a quite a joyous and engaged mode, and looking forward to seeing the Motu arrive.”
He also reiterated twice that National would be voting down the Bill at its second reading, expected by May.
“I'm looking forward to seeing everyone too, and they bring genuine concerns. National will vote down the Treaty Principles Bill at the second reading. We look forward to everyone coming in and actually getting home safely,” he said
He said that a small group would be going out to front the protest and hoped he would be part of that group.
“I look forward to seeing the whānau come people from around the motu not just Māori, but all New Zealand.”
Justice Committee calls for public submissions on bill
Parliament's Justice Committee, which will hold public hearings on the Treaty Principles Bill in the coming months, has this morning called for public submissions on the bill before January 7.
'We have not made any other decisions on process apart from the call for submissions, but at the moment we're just treating it as a standard process,' said National MP James Meager, chairperson of the committee.
'Our intention is to run a standard bill process which would take us through call for submissions, initial briefings, do some oral hearings … I think we're aiming to wrap the oral hearings up by the end of February.'
The committee was yet to decide whether it would travel the country to hear public submissions. The MPs on the committee also planned to decide on criteria for submissions that would not be accepted, such as submissions with offensive language.
Meager, a first term MP widely considered an up-and-comer his party, said he expected a similar volume of submissions as had been received by Parliament on other controverisal issues.
Green Party MP Tamatha Paul urged those who opposed the Treaty Principles Bill to make a submission to the committee.
“Making our opposition heard is crucial to upholding Te Tiriti and the deep commitment it represents to every one of us in Aotearoa. This Bill challenges the very foundations our nation was built on, we need our communities to stand up against this attempt to re-write our history,' she said.
Head of Wellington’s transport provider mucks in
Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter spent part of the morning at the Porirua train station helping marshall both regular commuters and those coming into town to Parliament.
“I’ve been very pleased with how the network has responded. The trains were a bit squishy but that’s to be expected when we are moving so many.”
He said by the time train doors were closed he could hear waiata starting.
“There were kids out of school for the day and parents who had taken time off work and it looked like a family occasion. It was a real pleasure to carry them.”
He said the planning done ahead of today appeared to have paid off. They had also had to juggle a number of bus drivers who wanted to join the hīkoi themselves.
Greater Wellington Regional Council figures show between 35,000 and 40,000 people passed through Wellington Railway Station on Tuesday morning, compared with 16,000 to 17,000 on an average weekday.
Trains were at 95% capacity and extra carriages were added.
Public transport timetable changes as hīkoi in town
Metlink put on several extra services across Wellington’s rail network expecting large numbers. One Hutt service was cancelled due to delays and buses across Wellington were packed.
Bus services had been diverted away from the Parliament precinct with the hub at the railway station closed.
There were people catching the train for the first time to avoid traffic, a regular Hutt commuter who took the train this morning said.
She said there was some delay and the train did not have any extra carriages.
The train was full with lots of people carrying flags and there was a happy atmosphere with elders being given seats. At the railway station there were vans put on to help those who couldn’t walk far.
She said a number of people joining the hīkoi got off at Ngāuranga Station to walk into Wellington.
Another commuter train from the Hutt was entertained by marchers singing as they came along the waterfront.
East by West’s first ferry sailing was cancelled after staff were unable to get to work in time. Ferries were packed with commuters trying to get to work by avoiding the drive in.
In their latest statement, police said traffic heading into Wellington City had eased, but motorists should continue to expect significant delays in the city.
‘It’s a beautiful day to be Māori’
Te Kuini Huata travelled from Hawke’s Bay to the hīkoi.
“Every Māori is here. It’s a beautiful day to be Māori,” she said
Tuterangi Ruha, 12, (Te Whānau a Apanui) gathered about 30 of his whānau from the East Coast to come down on Sunday to join the hīkoi from Waitangi Park.
“We’ve come here to honour the treaty,” Ruha said.
Seeing the massive crowd gathered at Waitangi Park made him “proud to be Māori”.
Carlos Marino, from Taranaki, came for his “whakapapa, whenua, tangata our people, tupuna”.
Kaysee Savaliits, who is Samoan, said that as an indigenous person she had a responsibility to be here today.
“My partner is Māori and so I'm here to talk to him, our children, our future children, and the future generations of this country.”
Thousands gather at Waitangi Park for final hīkoi leg
Thousands of people had gathered at Waitangi Park before 8am.
They are preparing for the final leg of the hīkoi which started on November 11.
Kathryn Tamatea brought horse Theodore, just broken in a week ago, from Porirua.
She was at the hikoi to “keep our treaty for our moko, our children”.
The group who are protesting the introduction of the Treaty Principles bill, will walk to Parliament along the Golden Mile - Courtenay Place, Manners Street, Willis Street, and Lambton Quay. (Read more details about road closures and changes to bus routes.)
They will rally at Parliament from 12 noon until 2:30pm before returning to Waitangi Park for a concert at 4pm.
Crowds, traffic builds; police ask people to avoid travel
Crowds are building in the centre of Wellington as Hīkoi mō te Tiriti heads towards Waitangi Park.
Police say traffic on SH1 is starting to build and motorists are advised to avoid travelling this morning if possible or to expect delays.
The hīkoi will gather at Waitangi Park before they leave for Parliament around 9am.
The group will then walk from Waitangi Park along the Golden Mile - Courtenay Place, Manners Street, Willis Street, and Lambton Quay - to Parliament. Read more details about road closures and changes to bus routes.
Children take part ‘to show the how important it is’
Reuben Coffey, Taranaki Whanui and Te Āti Awa, got his children up at 2am, and into trolleys to bring them.
“To be able to show, to bring the children, to show them how important it is,” he said.
“It is something that is going to get through their lifetimes.”
Parliament tightens security ahead of rally
Today’s hīkoi will be the biggest test for security since the 2022 Parliament occupation devolved into rioting, an event that led to a noticeable hardening of Parliament’s security.
Parliament doors will be locked to any tours or visitors.
Most entrances around Parliament will be shut and monitored, and only people with approved access will be allowed inside. Speaker Gerry Brownlee has asked that all meetings be held virtually.
Outside, the grounds have been fenced with temporary barricades, and police officers were seen carrying riot shields into the building on Monday afternoon.
Access to the forecourt which looks out onto its lawn will be closed off to all but police and Parliamentary Security.
Parliamentary Services would not comment on specific security arrangements but confirmed it was “working with police to ensure the safety of the precinct and surrounding areas.”
Military police officers are stationed in the lobby of Defence House, behind Parliament, this morning, in anticipation of the hīkoi.
Extra staff on hand at Te Tiriti o Waitangi exhibition
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is kept across the road from Parliament in the National Library where it is part of the exhibition He Tohu, along with He Whakaputanga and the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition.
The National Library has a permanent security presence at He Tohu, and the documents are in state-of-the-art, protective display cases.
Additional staff will be on hand on Tuesday to welcome people and answer questions from visitors.
Why the Treaty Principles bill is so controversial
Under the Government’s current 1989 Treaty principles, the Government has the right to govern and make laws, and all New Zealanders are equal before the law.
Iwi have the right to organise and control resources, the Government and iwi are obliged to co-operate on major issues of common concern, and the Government is responsible for providing a resolution process for Treaty grievances.
ACT’s bill would change this to three principles: the Government has power to govern in the best interests of everyone, in accordance with the rule of law and the maintenance of a free and democratic society; the Crown will respect and protect the rights of Māori under the Treaty as of 1840, and those rights will only differ from the rights of everyone if agreed in a treaty settlement; and, everyone is equal before the law and is entitled without discrimination to the protection and benefit of the law, and the enjoyment of the same human rights.
Fine day for Kōtahitanga mō Te Tiriti
It’s a gorgeous sunny morning in Wellington. MetService is forecasting a high of 17C today but there will be fresh northerlies as well.
Police remind Wellingtonians to plan ahead as hīkoi gathers
The walking part of the hīkoi reached from State Highway 2 north of Ngauranga. Traffic into the city continues to flow.
There will be an increased police presence in place to ensure the safety of those involved in the hīkoi, as well as other motorists and members of the community.
Police say they are working closely with the hīkoi organisers as and NZ Transport Agency and Wellington City Council.
Police do not expect any significant issues today outside of traffic delays but they are reminding people who are coming into the city this morning to plan ahead.
Wellington ready for arrival of Hīkoi mō te Tīriti
Wellington is braced for the arrival of tens of thousands of people today with street closures planned.An estimated 30,000 to 50,000 people, including Māori Queen Nga wai hono i te po, are expected to gather at Parliament in response to the Treaty Principles Bill.
One group was due to leave Porirua’s Takapūwāhia Marae from 6am, travelling south on SH59 then SH1 towards Wellington city. Another group was due to leave Petone about 4am, travelling via the Esplanade, SH2 to Ngauranga, Hutt Road and Thorndon Quay.
They will converge at Waitangi Park in central Wellington by 9am before heading to Parliament.
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.
At Parliament, 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.
Wellington Free Ambulance will be on site at Waitangi Park, and about 100 extra toilets will be available between Waitangi Park and outside Parliament.