Thousands of people have marched across Auckland’s Harbour Bridge today to take part in the national Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi in opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill.
The hīkoi left Onepoto Domain in Northcote earlier this morning before walking over the bridge with assistance from police and other agencies.
Earlier this morning, two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge were closed to allow the hīkoi to travel by foot into the city.
Some drivers waved flags and tooted their car horns in support.
At some points, the bridged swayed due to the winds.
“It’s quite windy today, but nah, I’m familiar with this bridge,” said one marcher. “It is swaying, but it’s all good.”
“It felt really shaky,” said one māmā carrying her young toddler.
“But it felt like an awesome feeling because we are all here together and witnessed that feeling together, which was different, but awesome.”
Huge crowds gathered at Christchurch’s Bridge of Remembrance and crossed over Auckland’s Harbour Bridge on Wednesday. (Source: 1News)
New Zealand Transport Agency said all lanes reopened to traffic around midday, while Fanshawe Street reopened to traffic about 11.30am.
Curran St northbound on-ramp and Shelley Beach Rd southbound off-ramp would “reopen shortly”, NZTA said.
As winds picked up there was swaying of the bridge during the Toitū te Tiriti hikoi. (Source: 1News)
“Allow extra time as delays northbound through the area slowly ease.”
In total, police said an estimated 5000 people crossed the bridge in just over two hours – although organisers say the final total may be much higher.
“The Hīkoi is continuing to move towards Okahu Bay on foot, via the CBD and Tamaki Drive,” police said.
“While participants are using footpaths, we advise motorists in the city to expect some delays.”
The national Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi is passing through the central city in opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill. (Source: Breakfast)
After the Harbour Bridge crossing, the hīkoi then split off to Okahu Bay and Bastion Point for activation activities before participants journey to Ihumātao this afternoon, and stay 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.
Drone footage captured people making their way over the bridge on the third day of the hikoi. (Source: 1News)
Many 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.
One marcher revealed a link to the 1975 land march.
When asked if he had crossed the bridge before, he said he hadn’t but met someone who did in the first original hīkoi.
“Our Uber driver did it in 1975 with Dame Whina Cooper, and he was describing that to us and he said it was just amazing, the energy, so hopefully that’s being replicated as much as you can – you can’t replicate something like that, but the power of the people is here.”
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)
Earlier this morning, 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.”
“This is a permitted event and we will make sure this event goes as smoothly and quickly as possible,” she said.
‘Good natured’ gathering at domain
Speaking from the Onepoto Domain where the Harbour Bridge crossing would begin, 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.
The national Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi is in support of the Treaty of Waitangi and is due to arrive in Wellington next week. (Source: 1News)
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’
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.
