More than 17,000 people have marched into and across central Wellington as the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived at Parliament this morning.
They 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.
Others could be seen watching the arrival from their windows.
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 joined the hīkoi's final stage to Parliament, flanked by students from Te Wharekura o Rakaumanga and the Kiingitanga.
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.
Traffic and commuter disruption is expected in the city.
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.
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".
