Act leader David Seymour believes he wasn't allowed to speak as it would have "deflated" the protest organiser's kaupapa. Video / Ben Dickens
Police are urging more than 40,000 protesters who attended today’s historic march on Parliament to “travel safe” as they return to their homes around the country tonight.
Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said that by mid-afternoon the number of people who gathered at the Parliamentary precinct and surrounding streets had grown to about 42,000.
Parnell said while today’s hīkoi ran “smoothly and safely” without any cause for concern, one person was arrested on Cable Street at about midday for disorderly behaviour and indecent assault.
Ambulance staff also responded to 20 medical-related incidents throughout the day, with one person transported to hospital.
Police would maintain a presence at Waitangi Park throughout the evening - where about 2000 people have gathered for the day’s final event, which is expected to finish at 7pm.
Parnell said those attending today had come from far and wide, and many would be tired.
“Fatigue is a major risk factor in serious and fatal crashes – if you’re feeling tired, don’t drive. If you feel fatigue coming on, stop and have a rest.
”A 15-20 minute nap can help, or else consider a longer sleep before you drive again,” Parnell said.
Police reminded motorists to expect more traffic on Wellington roads this evening as people made their way out of the city.
The Public Service Association (PSA) estimated 55,000 protesters attended the march.
The number of demonstrators dwarfed the anti-Covid Parliamentary occupation of 2022 and is more than double that of the huge Seabed and Foreshore hīkoi two decades ago.
Act Party leader David Seymour, the architect of the Treaty Principles Bill, was booed back inside the Beehive today by the tens of thousands protesting against his controversial Bill.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi led an impassioned chant to “kill the bill”. As the crowd chanted, Seymour walked back into the Beehive with his MPs, later saying he had been advised not to face protesters for fear of inciting “bad behaviour”.
The crowds are dispersing after impassioned speeches on an unprecedented day of protest outside the country’s seat of power.
Police warned of more disruption as the hīkoi makes its way back to Waitangi Park before protesters begin to head home.
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Waititi said: “I bumped into Seymour yesterday. We had quite a heated conversation. I saw him on the news this morning saying Rawiri Waititi told him not to come. Damn right, I told you not to come.”
Police believe more than 35,000 people had gathered on Parliament’s lawn by midday. Protesters first met at Waitangi Park in the southeast of the city centre. The crowds then marched along Oriental Parade, Courtney Place, Manners and Willis streets, and Lambton Quay.
As the first marchers descended on Parliament, the crowd stretched back 2km through the city as more people made their way their way northwest through central Wellington.
Parliament’s grounds were completely full, with thousands of people spilling on to surrounding streets in Wellington, before the crowd began dispersing at about 2.20pm.
A protester was condemned by members of the hīkoi for letting off a flare as demonstrators arrived at Parliament.
Police said 4000 people were already on Parliament grounds awaiting the arrival of the hīkoi when a flare was let off, sending orange and brown smoke into the sky.
Māori wardens and members of the hīkoi immediately responded, shouting “cut it out” and “come down and get your hiding”.
Later, a member of the crowd gathered at Parliament set off numerous fire crackers, disrupting speeches and making the crowd fall silent.
National ministers were preparing to front the crowds this morning. Among them were Health Minister Shane Reti, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka and Minister for Social Development Louise Upston.
The Māori Queen reached Parliament grounds with MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke at her side.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti marches up Rotorua’s Fenton St on Friday. Photo / Ben Fraser
The number of protesters grew as the hīkoi advanced down the country over the past nine days.
The route from Waitangi Park to Parliament followed the Golden Mile.
Māori artist Stan Walker was among those who sang.
Also in attendance was Māori Queen Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō. Kiingitanga spokesman Ngira Simmonds said she had a “message of hope for the nation and for us to come together to work through our current divisions”.
Protesters began leaving Parliament grounds at 2.30pm and returned to Waitangi Park by 4pm for a concert, karakia and farewell.
Police prepared
Police Minister Mark Mitchell earlier said the Government was “extremely sensitive” to the fact that such events could affect residents and businesses.
He said the organisers were aware of this and police had good planning in place to deal with any eventuality. He was confident it would be a peaceful hīkoi bringing a message to Parliament.
Mitchell said he had not seen any intelligence of a risk of occupation, like that seen during the violent anti-Covid protests of 2022. But police were able to respond if protesters had moved to occupy Parliament grounds.
“I don’t think you are going to see a counter-protest group that will be able to turn out and overwhelm the hīkoi,” Mitchell said earlier.
Hīkoi organisers had been working closely with police to reduce as much disruption as possible, he said.
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