A 100-strong contingent of anti-oil exploration protestors have arrived at Waitangi.
The hikoi convened at Paihia before making their way towards Te Tii Marae.
With the day's schedule running late, the group have been stopped about 100 metres from the meeting house.
Prime Minister John Key and the Government contingent were due to be welcomed onto the meeting house grounds at 10am, however Mr Key did not arrive until about 10.40am.
The hikoi, are protesting against plans by Norwegian oil firm Statoil to further explore 1670sq km of seabed off Northland's west coast.
Statoil were granted the permit for the expanded area last year. The new block outlined for exploration adjoins a 9800sq km area in the Reinga Basin, about 100km off Ninety Mile Beach, that the state-owned oil giant is already exploring. The two areas will be explored together.
Statoil's expanded area was one of 15 new oil and gas exploration permits announced by Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges as part of Block Offer 2014 in December.