Te Hīkoi mō te Tiriti begins its final leg this morning as tens of thousands of participants march to Parliament. 1News breaks down what you need to know.
Up to 30,000 people are expected to join the national hīkoi in Wellington today, nine days after it began in the Far North.
A convoy of people will be making their way from Takapūwāhia Marae in Porirua as well as Petone early this morning, however official proceedings are due to kick off from 9am at Waitangi Park in Wellington.
TVNZ+ will have video from the event throughout the day, while 1News will have live updates here.
Drone footage captured people making their way over the bridge on the third day of the hikoi. (Source: 1News)
What is the hīkoi schedule?
The crowds are expected to leave Waitangi Park and proceed along Courtenay Place, Manners Street, Willis Street and Lambton Quay.
The hīkoi may spill over into neighbouring streets, depending on the number of people marching.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti will course through Wellington streets on its ninth and final day carrying a message of kotahitanga. (Source: 1News)
The activation on Parliament’s grounds is due to begin at midday and continue until 2.30pm. It will include a haka and waiata that people spent yesterday’s hīkoi rest day learning. The hīkoi will then return to Waitangi Park for a concert, farewell and karakia that starts at 4pm.
ACT leader and instigator of the Treaty Principles Bill David Seymour said yesterday he was open to meeting with the protesters, but wanted to get a fair hearing and not be shouted down.
Meanwhile, 1News understands Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was considering opportunities to engage with the hīkoi – but it was extremely unlikely he would meet protesters on Parliament’s forecourt.
Thousands of people turned out in Kirikiriroa as the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti heads towards Wellington. (Source: 1News)
What is the transport situation?
People should expect delays while travelling around the capital today, even with increased capacity on public transport networks.
According to Greater Wellington, the railway stations at Porirua, Petone and Waikanae will be the main boarding points for hīkoi participants, so will be busier than usual. Extra carriages are being added to all rail services between 9am and 3pm.
1News Political Editor Maiki Sherman reports as the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti prepares to descend on Parliament. (Source: 1News)
Bus passengers should expect delays with Metlink buses diverting around the planned hīkoi route. The bus interchange will also be closed while the hīkoi is at Parliament.
People are advised to check the Metlink website for transport updates. Motorists using State Highways 1 and 2 should check the NZTA website, as both routes are expected to be busier than usual, too.
Traffic management will be in place along the hīkoi route, but people are being encouraged to allow extra time to get around the city. Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora is also asking people with appointments scheduled at Wellington Regional Hospital today to give themselves extra time to get there.
What is the weather supposed to do?
You might be surprised to learn it’s forecast to be windy in Wellington today.
MetService is predicting fine weather and fresh northerlies.
What to expect if you’re joining the hīkoi
If you are participating in the hīkoi, there are certain tikanga in place, which 1News Digital Te Ao Māori Producer Mariana Whareaitu has explained here:
Walking behind the banner
Hīkoi organisers have been instructing people to walk behind the main Toitū Te Tiriti banner.
Those few who walk in front of the banner have roles in maintaining the tikanga of the hīkoi. The include the ope taua (warrior party), kaikaranga (ceremonial callers), pou whenua (carved land post) and flag bearers, and whānau carrying the kawe mate of their loved one – ceremonially taking the spirit of the deceased (represented by a photo) to a marae or place.
Flag use
There is also tikanga around the Tino Rangatiratanga flag. It must never be worn on someone’s backside, so avoid wrapping it around the lower half of your body.
The right way up is with black up top, red on bottom, and the top part of the koru closest to the flagpole side.
Te Kahu o Te Raukura
Wellington mana whenua Te Kotahitanga o Taranaki Whānui maintain a peaceful stance in the region called Te Kahu o Te Raukura. It is a cloak of honour, peace and goodwill over the area, and they have issued a statement for visitors to the city to uphold these values.
“As mana whenua of our national’s capital, we understand that many kaupapa will arrive on our whenua. In all these kaupapa, Te Kahu o Te Raukura must be upheld.”
