44 minutes ago

Live: Hīkoi mō te Tiriti sets off for capital, tens of thousands expected at Parliament

44 minutes ago

Hundreds of people are making their way from Petone to Wellington train station as the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti heads to Parliament.

The crowd on Tuesday is being led by kairākau - men with rākau - and is making its way along Petone esplanade toward State Highway 2. There have been karakia, waiata and haka ringing out. An RNZ reporter says it's a positive vibe, and marshalls are doing their best to keep people to footpaths. Participants are flying hundreds of tino rangatiratanga flags, as cars supporting the hīkoi drive slowly alongside

Māori Queen Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po will join the hīkoi's final stage to Parliament, where tens of thousands are expected to congregate.

Traffic and commuter disruption is expected in the city.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is considering his options to engage with the hīkoi when it arrives at Parliament. A spokesperson said a small delegation of National MPs will be available to meet the hīkoi.

The Treaty Principles Bill architect, ACT leader David Seymour, says he supports the right to protest, but thinks participants are misguided and have a range of different grievances.

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