More than 19,000 people have marched into and across central Wellington as the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived at Parliament this morning.
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 hīkoi left Waitangi Park at 10am, and arrived at Parliament at about 11.30am.
They were welcomed by mana whenua Kura Moeahu of Te Āti Awa, Taranaki –Tuturu, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Toa at about noon.
The South Island contingent of the hīkoi arrived as one shortly before that.
Some Members of Parliament, including a small contingent of National MPs, ventured out on the forecourt to meet the hīkoi.
Others could be seen watching the arrival from their windows.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the select committee process for the Treaty Principles Bill had opened Pandora's box, and it would bring out the worst in New Zealanders.
He said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had a lot to answer for, and blaming the MMP system didn't wash.
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.
Māori Queen Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po joined the hīkoi's final stage to Parliament, flanked by students from Te Wharekura o Rakaumanga and the Kiingitanga.
Superintendent Corrie Parnell told RNZ police were expecting more than 10,000 people today, but were prepared for a larger turnout, which appears to have eventuated.
Police have reported no problems with the large crowd.
Journalists who covered the foreshore and seabed protest say today's turnout is "much bigger". That hīkoi in 2004 was estimated to number about 15,000 people.
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.
The Act Party has emailed its supporters urging them to make submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill, as the hīkoi mō te Tiriti approaches Parliament.
With the subject line 'it's time', the message says even short submissions are helpful and should be factual and polite.
It then provides an example template in support of Act's position on the Treaty, voicing support for the principles proposed in the bill and the belief that New Zealanders should be able to vote on it in a referendum.
The email concludes with the standard link calling for donations to the party, saying Act is a "grassroots movement".
