After crossing the bridge, participants split into two groups. One headed for Bastion Point, near Mission Bay, and the other for Ihumātao, near Auckland International Airport. The first group to Bastion Point caused minor congestion along Tāmaki Drive.
The protesters plan to get to Wellington to rally at Parliament on Tuesday.
A Herald photographer said thousands had already gathered outside Hamilton’s FMG Stadium, lining both sides of Mill St with lots of flags and signs.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti gathers at FMG Stadium in Hamilton this morning to march down Victoria street. Photo / Mike Scott
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge yesterday. Photo / Michael Craig
The Treaty Principles Bill was advocated for by the Act Party. It seeks to clarify the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The bill has little support in Parliament and has not had backing from enough parties to ensure it will pass into law.
Act’s leader David Seymour said: “Once the bill has had its first reading, every New Zealander will have the opportunity to provide their views on the bill at the select committee stage.
“The bill will not alter or amend the Treaty itself. It will be used to assist with the interpretation of legislation where Treaty principles would normally be considered relevant, in addition to legislation that refers to Treaty principles directly.”
Act’s coalition partner National opposed the policy during the election campaign.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti has reached Hamilton. Photo / Mike Scott
National agreed during coalition negotiations to support the legislation to a select committee.
However, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said National will not back the bill past its first reading.
Protest enters fourth day, plans for participants to stay in Rotorua tonight
The eight-day protest started at Cape Rēinga early Monday morning before stopping for a night in Whangārei and then continuing through Auckland and on to Huntly yesterday.
Convoys were slated to leave Waahi Paa in Huntly at 8am today. The itinerary for the event said people would meet at Kirikiriroa Marae in Hamilton by 9am and reach Apumoana Marae in Rotorua by 6pm.
Police said they have not had any reports of significant issues throughout the protest so far.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Naila Hassan said: “[Yesterday] morning we saw one of the largest concentrations ever of people crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge in such a short time.”
She said police and other agencies managed the crowds and ensured it remained safe as they took over lanes on the bridge during rush hour.
A spokesman for the organisers, Toitū te Tiriti, justified to the Herald the level of disruption.
Police say 5000 people marched across the Auckland Harbour Bridge yesterday as part of the protest. Photo / Carson Bluck
“One morning of disruption for some will be a morning of liberation for others and cannot possibly compare to 180 years of injustice,” he said.
“Fighting for indigenous rights to be upheld will always be disruptive to those satisfied with the status quo. Is it justified? When everything that makes you who you are is being stripped away from you, your kids, and the mokopuna [grandchildren] you haven’t met yet, you are left with no choice but to take to your feet.”
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
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