Police are warning motorists to plan ahead and prepare for disruptions in areas likely to be impacted by protest action planned for tomorrow.
Te Pāti Māori and others connected to the Toitū Te Tiriti (Honour the Treaty) movement have called for strikes as a follow up to last year's National Māori Action Day.
Organisers called for all Māori and Tangata Tiriti to go on strike and protest the government's policies affecting Māori. The Budget is being delivered at Parliament tomorrow.
Hikoi are planned throughout the country, including at Parliament.
In response to the planned action, police said officers will be highly visible across the roading network throughout the morning.
If you have images or video of the hikoi on Thursday which 1News can use in coverage, please email news@tvnz.co.nz with HIKOI in the subject line.
"In some locations, will put measures in place to prevent participants putting themselves and motorists in harm’s way.
"We are aware that gatherings are planned for Aotea Square in Auckland City from 11am and Parliament Grounds in Wellington from 12 noon which are expected to continue in to the afternoon.
"Police are working with organisers to provide advice on lawful behaviour on our roads and public places, as well as any health and safety implications."
A full list of locations likely to be affected was released by police.
"Motorists in areas likely to be affected are advised to plan ahead to mitigate any disruption to their travel.
"Anyone travelling for time-sensitive commitments are advised to allow more time for their journey."
The coalition government, however, had its own warning to those thinking of taking part in the movement. (Source: 1News)
Speaking on the planned hīkoi yesterday, Prime Minister Luxon said striking would not be appropriate.
"No. That would be illegal," he said, pointing out it was "pretty clear what the rules are around strike action".
He thought it was "wrong" for Te Pāti Māori to be advising people to take the day off work.
"I think that's entirely wrong. I think — feel free to protest, that's what we have weekends for, but I just say to you: Te Pāti Māori, they're completely free to protest as they want — as long as it's legal and peaceable and lawful.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins told Breakfast this morning that "people have an absolute right to protest".
"There's bound to be plenty of people out there tomorrow who I agree with – and there will be some people at the margins who I don't, almost every protest contains elements of that."
He said that a strike in the strict sense of the word could be illegal.
But, he said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was "getting a bit hung up" on the use of the word.
"The kids went on strike for climate a few weeks ago, that was the use of the word 'strike' in quite a different context.
"I think it's absolutely legitimate for people to take a day off to exercise their democratic right to participate in a protest, and there's plenty of ways that they can do that legally."
Below is the list of areas likely to be affected, according to police:
- Motorways across Tāmaki Makaurau
- Kaitāia
- Whangārei
- Port Waikato
- Hamilton
- Thames
- Matamata
- Tauranga
- Ōpōtiki
- Whakātane
- Taupō
- Tūrangi
- Rotorua
- Gisborne
- Hawke’s Bay
- Tokoroa
- Hāwera
- Palmerston North
- Hastings
- Masterton
- Wellington
- Nelson
- Christchurch
- Dunedin.
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