30 Dec 2024

2024 in photos: Hīkoi mō te Tiriti

9:08 pm on 30 December 2024
A dawn karakia at Cape Reinga launched a national hīkoi opposing the Treaty Principles bill and government policy affecting Māori.

Marchers wait in the pre-dawn mist for a karakia at Cape Reinga that launched the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

It was one New Zealand's largest-ever protest movements - Hīkoi mō te Tiriti. On the final day alone, estimates of the number of people who marched through Wellington ranged from 40,000 to 100,000.

Organisers had spent nearly a month mapping and planning Hīkoi mō te Tiriti - billed as both a march against the government's policies affecting Māori, and for tino rangatiratanga (sovereignty, self-determination).

On 10 November, the hīkoi set off from Cape Reinga, arriving at Parliament nine days later.

Across those nine days, there were many chants, signs and of course flags - a sea of red, white and black.

Te Rerenga Wairua: Riders in the mist

Riders in the mist at Cape Rēinga.

Riders in the mist at Cape Rēinga. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf

Hīkoi leader Eru Kapa-Kingi addresses the crowd in the early morning mist at Cape Rēinga.

The banner which was eventually carried all the way across the North Island. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf

A national hīkoi opposing the Treaty Principles Bill and government policy affecting Māori set off from Cape Reinga on Monday 11 November.

Arepa Lazarus, left, and Shontayne Brown arrived at the Cape on horseback. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Kairakau lead the hīkoi down Kaitāia’s Commerce Street.

Kairākau lead the hīkoi down Kaitāia's Commerce Street. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf

Marchers carry a banner down Kaitāia’s Commerce Street.

Marchers carry a banner down Kaitāia's Commerce Street. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf

Hikoi participants on horseback, Kaitaia, on 11 November 2024.

Hīkoi participants on horseback in Kaitāia. Photo: Peter de Graaf

Tahlia, 10, has made sure she's got the best view as the hikoi arrives in Kawakawa.

Tahlia, 10, made sure she got the best view as the hīkoi arrived in Kawakawa. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf

Some participants in the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti are opting to run parts of the route. These runners arrived in Kawakawa on Monday afternoon after travelling the hard way from Moerewa.

Some participants in the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti opted to run parts of the route. These runners arrived in Kawakawa after travelling the hard way from Moerewa. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf

Hirini Tau, Hirini Henare and Mori Rapana lead the hīkoi through Kawakawa.

Hirini Tau, Hirini Henare and Mori Rapana lead the hīkoi through Kawakawa. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf

Te Kauri McPherson leads the haka in Kawakawa.

Te Kauri McPherson leads the haka in Kawakawa. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf

Whangārei and Dargaville: Proud to be Māori

The hīkoi musters outside Kaka Porowini Marae in Whangārei, having just arrived from Kawakawa earlier in the day.

The hīkoi musters outside Kākā Porowini Marae in Whangārei, having just arrived from Kawakawa earlier in the day. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti relay runners rest in Whangārei during pōwhiri

Relay runners rest in Whangārei. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Eru Kapa-Kingi addresses the crowd in Whangārei on day two of Hikoi mō Te Tiriti.

Hīkoi organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi tell his hometown he is proud of them as day two of the hīkoi activates in Whangārei. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Scenes from Day 2 of Hikoi mō Te Tiriti in Whangārei.

Tauira from Te Kāpehu Whetū break out into haka at the Laurie Hall Park activation. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

From Whangārei to Dargaville, the hīkoi gathers at Selwyn Park and prepares to march.

The hīkoi gathers at Selwyn Park and prepares to march. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

The Little whanau hold flags off the back of their ute as the hīkoi prepares to match through Dargaville.

The Little whānau holds flags off the back of their ute as the hīkoi prepares to match through Dargaville. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Karanga and haka begin to fill the otherwise quiet streets of Dargaville as the hīkoi makes it way toward the Kaipara Regional Council building.

Karanga and haka begin to fill the otherwise quiet streets of Dargaville as the hīkoi makes it way toward the Kaipara District Council building. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Kōtirotiro holds sign that says 'Toitu Te Tiriti' while marching in Dargaville.

A young kōtiro gets a better view of the crowd making its way down the road. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Young kaihoe perform haka at the Dargaville Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti.

Young kaihoe usher the hīkoi through the street. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

kaihaka in Dargaville as the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti makes its way through the street.

An eager kaihaka stands at attention. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti at the Kaipara District Council building.

The hīkoi arrives outside the Kaipara District Council to protest the loss of the the region's Māori ward. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Tāmaki Makaurau: Making the Harbour Bridge shake

Thousands meet at the Onepoto Domain in Auckland's North Shore in preparation for day three of the hīkoi.

Thousands meet at the Onepoto Domain on Auckland's North Shore in preparation for day three of the hīkoi. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

A participant in Hikoi mō Te Tiriti stands near State Highway One before the group crosses the Habour Bridge holding the United Tribes of New Zeland flag.

Hikoi mō Te Tiriti moves onto State Highway 1 towards the Harbour Bridge. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi at the front of the hīkoi on Auckland's Harbour Bridge.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi leads the hīkoi over the Harbour Bridge. Photo: RNZ / Layla Bailey-McDowell

Scenes from Day 3 of Hikoi mō Te Tiriti in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland

One of many placards seen throughout the hīkoi. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Scenes from Day 3 of Hikoi mō Te Tiriti in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland

The front of the hīkoi marching over the Harbour Bridge. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Crowds await hīkoi at Ihumātao.

Crowds await the hīkoi at Ihumātao. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hīkoi organisers arrive at Ihumātao.

Hīkoi organisers arrive at Ihumātao. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Young Kaya and her mum show off her placards while resting beside the firepit at Ihumātao.

Young Kaya and her mum show off their placards while resting beside the firepit at Ihumātao. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hamilton: Haka in the streets, haka in Parliament

Thousands hīkoi mō Te Tiriti in Hamilton.

Young toa prepare to march. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Thousands hīkoi mō Te Tiriti in Hamilton.

The hīkoi sets off through Hamilton just after gathering at FMG Stadium. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti in Hamilton.

The hīkoi fills Hamilton's Victoria Street as it makes its way to Garden Place. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Pēpi watches on as hīkoi mō Te Tiriti gathers in the heart of Hamilton.

A pēpi gets a bird's eye view as Garden Place fills to the brim with people. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti gathers in Hamilton.

The Hamilton activation hits its peak. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipa-Clarke was among those to perform a haka, at Parliament, after the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill, on 14 November, 2024.

Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke rips a copy of the Treaty Principles Bill in Parliament as she performs a haka which interupted the Bill's first reading. Photo: RNZ/ Samuel Rillstone

Te Pāti Māori's Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke interrupted the vote on the Treaty Principles Bill's first reading with a haka taken up by members of the opposition and people in the public gallery.

Maipi-Clarke interrupts the vote on the Treaty Principles Bill with a haka taken up by members of the opposition and people in the public gallery. Before begining the haka Maipi-Clarke chants: "Kāwana! Ka whakamanuwhiritia koe e au." (Government! You exist by my consent.) Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Te Pāti Māori's Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke interrupted the vote on the Treaty Principles Bill's first reading with a haka taken up by members of the opposition and people in the public gallery.

Members of Te Pāti Māori and other opposition MPs join the haka during the Treaty Principles Bill's first reading. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Rotorua: The cavalry arrives

Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti in Rotorua.

Rotorua activates. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti in Rotorua arrive by horseback.

The cavalry arrives to escort the hīkoi through Rotorua. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Patariki Hill joined the Rotorua hīkoi by horseback alongside his whānau.

Patariki Hill holds a tino rangatiratanga flag atop his horse Shadow. Photo: RNZ / Layla Bailey-McDowell

Nannies take pics as the hīkoi passes by.

Nannies take pics as the hīkoi passes by. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hipi mō Te Tiriti.

Hipi mō Te Tiriti. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Young wāhine holds a picture of Māori war hero Robert 'Bom' Gillies, who died the week before the hīkoi began.

A young wahine holds a picture of Māori war hero Robert 'Bom' Gillies, who died the week before the hīkoi began. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hawkes Bay and Manawatū: Treaty Principles Bill Nehua!

Over 3000 protestors gathered at the Hastings Clock Tower on day 6 of Hīkoi mō Toitū Te Tiriti.

Over 5000 protestors gathered at the Hastings Clock Tower on day six of Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti. Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai

Protestors perform a wero (challenge) while marching through Hastings as part of Hīkoi mō Toitū Te Tiriti.

Toa lead the march through central Hastings as part of Hīkoi mō Toitū Te Tiriti on 16 November. Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai

Protestors march through Hastings as part of day 6 of Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti.

The hīkoi marches through Hastings. Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai

Misbah at the hīkoi mō te Tiriti march in Hastings, Saturday 16th November 2024.

Young local Misbah speaks to the crowd in Hastings - "I feel the mana, I feel the aroha coming from here," he says. Photo: RNZ/Pokere Paewai

Protestors march through Dannevirke during day 6 of Hīkoi mō te Tiriti.

Supporters of the hīkoi wave their flags as it passes through Dannevirke. Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai

Protestors march through Dannevirke during day 6 of Hīkoi mō te Tiriti.

Supporters of the hīkoi in Dannevirke organise their own short hīkoi as the main convoy passes through the town. Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai

Flags fly in the Square in Palmerston North as supporters gather for the hīkoi.

Flags fly in the Square in Palmerston North as supporters gather for the hīkoi on 17 November. Photo: RNZ/Pokere Paewai

Toitū te Tiriti supporters carry a banner through the Square in Palmerston North.

Toitū te Tiriti supporters carry a banner through the Square in Palmerston North. Photo: RNZ/Pokere Paewai

Some supporters of the hīkoi were crafty with their signs and fashion but one wahine took it to a new level creating 'Wahine o te Ao' over two days.

Some supporters of the hīkoi were crafty with their signs and fashion but one wahine in Palmerston took it to a new level creating 'Wahine o te Ao' over two days. Photo: RNZ/Pokere Paewai

Tamariki get the best of view of the hīkoi as it passes through Palmerston North.

Tamariki get the best of view of the hīkoi as it passes through Palmerston North. Photo: RNZ/Pokere Paewai

The hīkoi passes through the Square in Palmerston North on Sunday 17th of November 2024.

The hīkoi passes around the Square in Palmerston North. Photo: RNZ/Pokere Paewai

Ōtautahi: Te Waipounamu joins the hīkoi

Supporters of the hīkoi rally at the Bridge of Remembrance in Christchurch on 13 November 2024.

Rangatahi proud to represent their heritage. Photo: Nathan Mckinnon

Supporters of the hīkoi rally at the Bridge of Remembrance in Christchurch on 13 November 2024.

Hīkoi organiser Teresa Butler revving up the crowd at the activation event Photo: Nathan Mckinnon

South Island hikoi reaches Kaikōura

A pounamu was gifted to Teresa Butler to take on the travels as a safety net. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

South Island hikoi reaches Kaikōura

The South Island rōpū spend over an hour in Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

South Island hikoi reaches Blenheim

People showing their support. Photo: RNZ / Emma Andrews

South Island hikoi reaches Blenheim

The streets of Blenheim are filled with waiata and flags. Photo: RNZ / Emma Andrews

Souther hikoi sails from Picton

Spirits are high for the crossing to the capital. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Souther hikoi sails from Picton

Pearler conditions for road and water travel. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Souther hikoi sails from Picton

Noel O'Malley drove from Balclutha to attend - he is now known as Papa Noel by many. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Ōtautahi Māori Wardens traveled the round trip from Christchirch to Picton to tautoko the Hīkoi group.

Ōtautahi Māori wardens made the round trip from Christchirch to Picton to tautoko the hīkoi group. Photo: RNZ / Emma Andrews

All aboard! The waka was chocka with people who traveled the Cook Strait.

All aboard! The waka is chocka with people who travel the Cook Strait. Photo: RNZ / Emma Andrews

Wellingtonians greeted the first lot of Southerners after disembarking the Kaitaki Interislander

Wellingtonians greet the first lot of Southerners after they disembark the Interislander. Photo: RNZ / Emma Andrews

Wellington: Hīkoi reaches record size

Ivan Olsen, from Wainuiomata Marae on the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti.

Ivan Olsen from Wainuiomata Marae on the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti as it heads into Wellington city. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

A child in a car on the hikoi heading into Wellington, tuesday 19 Novemberr.

A carkoi destined for Parliament moves through the city as the sun rises in the capital. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The Hīkoi mō te Tiriti, the Treaty Principles Bill march, reaches central Wellington on November 19.

One of a number of kawe mate taken through the city. Photo: RNZ / Sam Rillstone

The hīkoi is making its way up Oriental Parade almost to the intersection with Courtenay Place.

Kaihaka representing each region the hīkoi passed through lead marchers to Parliament from the front of the pack. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti in Wellington.

Hīkoi supporters line the streets near Waitangi Park. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

The hīkoi protesting against the Treaty Principles Bill in Wellington on 19 November 2024.

The crowd fills Parliament grounds. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker

Kuini Nga wai hono i te po makes her way toward the Beehive

Kuini Nga wai hono i te po makes her way towards the Beehive. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

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

A haka on Parliament grounds. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Speaker Gerry Brownlee watches the protest from the tiles ahead of Question Time on Tuesday afternoon.

Speaker Gerry Brownlee watches the protest from the tiles ahead of Question Time. Photo: RNZ / Anneke Smith

ACT leader David Seymour faced chants of 'Kill the bill, kill the bill' during his brief appearance outside the Beehive as Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti arrived at Parliament grounds.

ACT leader David Seymour makes a brief appearance outside Parliament. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell

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

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs