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19 Nov 2024

Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti: The final day march to Parliament in photos

8:51 pm on 19 November 2024

An estimated 42,000 people from all around the country descended on central Wellington on Tuesday after a nine day hīkoi reached its final destination, the grounds of Parliament.

This morning, police said about 2000 people walked from Petone to the Wellington train station along State Highway 2, as part of the hīkoi mō Te Tiriti.

The group set off at 4am, with cars travelling slowly alongside in support.

The final destination for Hīkoi mō te Tiriti was Parliament, at the end of a nine-day trek for many who oppose the Treaty Principles Bill, which is being sponsored by the ACT party.

Those walking flew hundreds of tino rangatiratanga flags, while many drivers are tooted as they passed the hīkoi.

Participants were aged from young children to the elderly.

In the afternoon, supporters headed to Waitangi Park, where a post-hīkoi concert took place.

Here's a sample of some of those taking part.

Tens of thousands of protesters at parliament. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone

Many who oppose the Treaty Principles Bill made a nine-day trek to the capital. Photo: RNZ/Layla Bailey-McDowell

The hīkoi at Parliament grounds on 19 November 2024.

The hīkoi at Parliament grounds. Photo: Supplied

Pourewa Te Rata says he is at the hikoi with his mates, cousins and whānau.

Pourewa Te Rata says he is at the hīkoi with his mates, cousins and whānau. Photo: RNZ/Layla Bailey-McDowell

The hīkoi protesting against the Treaty Principles Bill in Wellington on 19 November 2024. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker

The Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrives in Parliament grounds on 19 November 2024.

Protesters gathered to protest the Treaty Principles Bill Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Māori or Tino Rangatiratanga flags flying at Parliament. Photo: RNZ/Anneke Smith

The parliament lawn packed out. Photo: RNZ/Pokere Paewai

At Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker

The hikoi against the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill reaches Parliament.

A Mongrel Mob banner being held aloft at the hīkoi. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith

A Kill the Bill banner refers to protestors opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith

Photo: RNZ/Layla Bailey-McDowell

Thousands at Waitangi Park listening to waiata.

Sea of red and black protesters. Photo: RNZ/Layla Bailey-McDowell

The hīkoi at Parliament. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith

Photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone

The Paul-Burkes family in a tree in Parliament grounds, travelled to take part from Tauranga and Dunedin. Photo: RNZ/Phil Pennington

Parliament and surround areas packed and people are still arriving

Parliament and surround areas packed. Photo: RNZ/Lillian Hanly

Photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone

Photo: RNZ/Russell Palmer

The head of the hīkoi is crossing Taranaki Street onto Manners Street.

The head of the hīkoi crossing Taranaki Street onto Manners Street. Photo: RNZ/Pokere Paewai

Te Pāti Māori's Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke is the MP who performed a haka during voting for the Treaty Principles Bill, here she is speaking at the protest hīkoi. Photo: Whakaata Māori

The parliament lawn scattered with protesters. Photo: RNZ/Anneke Smith

Waitangi Park has almost cleared out, the tail-end of the hīkoi is moving slowly towards Courtney Place.

The tail-end of the hīkoi moving towards Courtney Place. Photo: RNZ/Mary Argue

Rangatahi awaiting the arrival of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono I te po at parliament. Photo: RNZ/Emma Andrews

Photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone

Hīkoi participants outside Parliament perform a well-known haka written by Ngapo Wehi on 19 November 2024.

Hīkoi participants outside Parliament perform a well-known haka written by Ngapo Wehi. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Local group 'Iwi' are delivering some serious hip hop beats from the stage at Waitangi Park. They say the key takeaway from this hīkoi is: "How the rangatahi are taking the lead and pushing us forward in these turbulent times".

Local group 'Iwi' deliver some serious hip hop beats from the stage at Waitangi Park during the afternoon after the hīkoi left Parliament grounds. Photo: RNZ / Mary Argue

Protesters inside a waka in Wellington. Photo: RNZ/Emma Andrews

Birdseye view of the hīkoi. Photo: RNZ/Anneke Smith

Dave Moller from Palmerston North attened the hīkoi in Wellingto to honour Te Tiriti, and said if he can make people smile while doing it, great.

Dave Moller from Palmerston North says he's here to honour Te Tiriti, and if he can make people smile while doing it, great. Photo: RNZ/Mary Argue

Te Kura Māori o Porirua students performing waiata at the back of the hīkoi. Photo: RNZ/Mary Argue

Eliza tamihana, Ngati Kahungungu Ki Wairarapa and Ngati Kahu, of Upper Hutt, with moko C-analeah Williams. She says it does not matter if any MP comes out to see them because by being there the people have made their point. Photo: RNZ/Phil Pennington

Photo: RNZ/Pokere Paewai

Wahine blows the Pūtātara as the hikoi marches through Courtney Place. Photo: RNZ/Tu Natanahira

Protesters flooding out of the train station. Photo: RNZ/Lauren Crimp

Hepara Isaac on Wellington's waterfront. Photo: RNZ/Mary Argue

Hundreds of people gathered outside the train station.

Photo: RNZ/Lauren Crimp

Sea of thousands dressed in red and black at Waitangi Park listening to waiata. Photo: RNZ/Ashleigh McCaull

Dot Bax and Felix Bax, 9, (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi) drove from Whangārei impromptu yesterday to get to hīkoi - the whole way in one day. Photo: RNZ/Phil Pennington