More than 17,000 people have marched into and across central Wellington as the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti heads to Parliament.
Thousands of people gathered in Wellington's Waitangi Park before pushing on to Parliament, armed with red, white and black flags to protest the Treaty Principles Bill.
The Hikoi was scheduled to leave Waitangi Park at 10am and is expected to arrive at Parliament around midday.
Hundreds of people who set off from the Far North more than a week ago have driven into the city from Porirua this morning, arriving at the park where thousands of others will join them as they march through the city's golden mile to Parliament.
Meanwhile, about 2000 people who set off by foot from Petone this morning have started arriving at the Wellington train station, where the roads have been closed to allow for the influx of people.
Some of those people who've completed the 14 kilometre journey will now go on to Waitangi Park, while others will join the hīkoi along the way as it moves towards Parliament's grounds.
Māori Queen Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po will join the hīkoi's final stage to Parliament.
Superintendent Corrie Parnell told RNZ police were expecting more than 10,000 people today, but were prepared for a larger turnout.
Crown-Māori Relations Minister Tama Potaka met a small number of hīkoi supporters this morning outside Parliament and also shook hands with some in the crowd.
More than 2000 people are set up on Parliament's front lawn to await the hīkoi's arrival, the number increasing through the morning.
Green barriers have been set up on the forecourt to keep protesters away from the front steps.
Māori wardens are moving around the site and at the train station, where many people carrying flags are arriving.
Wellingtonians are being advised to work from home today or allow up to two hours extra travel time for their commute.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is considering his options to engage with the hīkoi when it arrives at Parliament. A spokesperson said a small delegation of National MPs will be available to meet the hīkoi.
The Treaty Principles Bill architect, Act leader David Seymour, says he supports the right to protest, but thinks participants are misguided and have a range of different grievances.
A petition to stop the Treaty Principles Bill will be delivered at the hīkoi to Parliament today at noon. The official number of signatories is 203,653.
