Crowds of people have begun their hīkoi across Auckland’s Harbour Bridge this morning despite a drizzly start to the day.
The hīkoi left Onepoto Domain in Northcote this morning and was now making its way over the bridge with assistance from police and other agencies.
Two lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge are closed this morning as the national Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi makes its way into and through the central city.
New Zealand Transport Agency said multiple off-ramps and on-ramps to the Auckland Harbour Bridge are closed as the hīkoi crosses, including the Onewa Rd and Stafford Rd northbound off ramps and Curran St Northbound on-ramp.
Police said an estimated 5000 people were preparing to cross the bridge – although organisers say the final total may be much higher.
“We continue to remind Auckland motorists to expect delays across some parts of the city’s roading network today. Please continue to factor in delays to your journeys,” a police spokesperson said.
As winds picked up there was swaying of the bridge during the Toitū te Tiriti hikoi. (Source: 1News)
After the Harbour Bridge crossing, the hīkoi will head to Okahu Bay and Bastion Point, before journeying to Ihumātao this afternoon, and staying overnight at Rangiriri Paa.
One of the wardens involved in escorting the crossing of the bridge told 1News it was “paramount” to keep the protesters safe today.
Earlier, people gathered overnight at North Shore’s Te Kamaka Marae in anticipation of day three of their journey to Parliament in opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill.
The national Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi is passing through the central city in opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill. (Source: Breakfast)
New Zealand Transport Agency and Auckland Transport said the movement was “expected to result in significant disruptions and delays” across the state highway network including through Auckland’s CBD.
The agencies urged people to “plan ahead” and check the latest information before travelling in the city today.
Drone footage captured people making their way over the bridge on the third day of the hikoi. (Source: 1News)
“NZ Police is leading the operational planning and response to the hīkoi, which has the potential to cause significant congestion, disruption and delays on key highways and arterial routes in the city tomorrow,” NZTA said.
Closures will be in place at the Stafford Rd offramp, Curran St onramp, and the two outer northbound lanes of the bridge itself. The Shelly Beach Rd southbound offramp will also be closed.
NZTA and AT would be closely monitoring the impact of the hīkoi on the city’s transport network through our Auckland Transport Operations Centre, and would provide real-time updates for road users on any delays or disruptions.
“The lanes will be re-opened to traffic as soon as it is safe to so.”
Hīkoi disruption ‘uneventful’ to date — police
Acting assistant police commissioner Naila Hassan discusses plans for the national Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi in Auckland. (Source: Breakfast)
Acting assistant commissioner Naila Hassan told Breakfast there would be significant disruption across the network today, but police were “stoked” with how the event had been run so far.
“What we’ve seen so far is largely the hīkoi has been uneventful, there haven’t been any issues and we have been working really closely with the organisers and the iwi leaders and our partner agencies to ensure this event runs smoothly.”
She said all the groups should be over the bridge by approximately 11.30am.
“Obviously, with the volume of traffic over that bridge, it will be disruptive, so we are asking commuters to ensure they factor some disruption into their travel plans today.
“This is a permitted event and we will make sure this event goes as smoothly and quickly as possible,” she said.
“To those attending today, we ask you please be peaceful. It’s really important that everyone is safe. It is a lawful event, so we ask everyone to help us ensure it is a safe event for everyone and that there’s least disruption as possible to everyone on the roads.”
‘Good natured’ gathering at domain
Speaking from the Onepoto Domain where the Harbour Bridge crossing would begin from, 1News reporter Yvonne Tahana said there was a sense of “quiet anticipation” as people prepared for the day ahead.
“It’s good natured is what I’d say,” she said.
She said that according to the organisers’ social media the whole hīkoi was a “logistical exercise” because there were so many people to move.
There were parts of this hīkoi that need to be managed from a safety perspective, such as getting across the Harbour Bridge.
Hīkoi organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi told Tahana that people wanting to join the walk today would have to be at the domain to receive the safety briefing beforehand.
Tahana said there was a sense of strong momentum as people joined in each centre, with today’s figures estimated to be in the thousands.
“I think that today you’re going to see people join who live in Auckland who won’t be able to travel the full length of Northland. We could see a big day.”
‘It’s not just about the bridge’
Eru Kapu-Kingi told Breakfast it was “humbling” to be one of the organisers of the event.
Asked about the magnitude of the Harbour Bridge crossing, he said: “Take it easy, think about who is best positioned to be crossing and the safety involved. There are many ways to participate with this kaupapa, its not just about the bridge.”
“So if you’re feeling a bit wary about it, that’s okay, stay home and participate in other ways if you’d like. And those who are going over, just look after each other like we always do in order with our tikanga.”
Kapu-Kingi said he was seven years old during one of the country’s largest hīkoi in opposition to the controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 which took place 20 years ago.
Today’s hīkoi has been organised by a grassroots movement Toitū te Tiriti which was set up in December 2023.
He said the whole leadership team of Toitū Te Tiriti were “young and keen” but they took comfort and guidance from those who had been here before.
“It’s an honour, it’s a privilege and it’s not something we take lightly. But its also just a very Māori thing because our existence, our mana is intergenerational. So there has to be that moment of passing of the mauri.”
He said today was going to be “a big turnout” as he said Auckland had one of the largest Māori populations in the world.
“I just take it day by day, moment by moment and try not to get too overwhelmed.”
The hīkoi planned to arrive on Parliament grounds on November 19, having gathered more supporters throughout the nine-day journey.