Budget Day protests: Police say no arrests made after nationwide hīkoi

May 30, 2024

Moxon joined Breakfast as a nationwide protest against the Government began. (Source: Breakfast)

Police say there were no significant issues or arrests during today's nationwide day of action, and final gatherings have dispersed.

In an update, police said no arrests were made after crowds gathered in Auckland and Wellington before the Government unveiled its annual Budget.

"While there has been disruption to travel in some locations, participants have been well-behaved overall and there have been no issues of note," a spokesperson said.

Te Pāti Māori and others connected to the Toitū Te Tiriti (Honour the Treaty) movement 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 coalition government's policies affecting Māori ahead of Budget 2024.

The nationwide day of action was called as a protest against the Coalition Government's policies affecting Māori. (Source: 1News)

In Wellington, a crowd made its way to Parliament as part of the nationwide Hīkoi.

The demonstration in the capital was planned to start at the train station and was expected to reach the Beehive by 12pm.

At the event, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi told 1News he was "very proud" of the turnout so far.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi at Wellington Railway Station.

In an earlier statement, Te Pāti Māori said the Toitū Te Tiriti activation was to demonstrate a unified Aotearoa response to “the Government's assault on Tangata Whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi”.

The party said it would show the might of Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti working together with "the revolution of Gen-T (Generation Tiriti) standing up for and protecting the rights of all our mokopuna".

Crowds descended on Parliament as part of the nationwide hikoi. (Source: 1News)

Additionally, the party said it was asserting the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as enduring and ever lasting.

Aotea Square filled with flags in Auckland

A crowd gathers in Aotea Square in Auckland.

Protesters teemed into Aotea Square on a gusty Auckland morning after heavy winds overnight.

NZTA said the northwestern motorway in Auckland was cleared of slow moving traffic by shortly after 1oam, but said motorists should allow extra time for citybound delays as traffic continues to ease.

Earlier, Auckland Airport warned travellers to take into account the possibility that a National Action Day hīkoi may affect roads.

"Planned protests are expected on motorway routes throughout Auckland and disruption is expected across the entire Auckland urban roading network. Please plan ahead."

In response to the planned action, police said officers would be highly visible across the roading network throughout the morning.

Yesterday, police said there was a planned gathering at Aotea Square from 11am.

About 700 protest from Hamilton

A crowd gathers in Hamilton for the Hīkoi.

About 700 have gathered at Kirikiriroa Marae to set out from Hamilton on the hīkoi.

Speaking to Breakfast, Māori activist and father of Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke said he has seen people from a variety of backgrounds join in on the activation.

"I think it's [about people] expressing themselves however they can, wherever they can.

Te Karere reporter Kruze Tangira spoke with the protesters. (Source: Breakfast)

"Whether they're at work talking with workmates, it's just about educating people that being Māori is great, being Māori is a part of this land and expressing Māoritanga there's nothing wrong with it.

"That's what I'm trying to say, promote the conversation."

Tauranga protest gathers at Whareroa Reserve

A large crowd has gathered at Tauranga's Whareroa Reserve.

A crowd has gathered at Whareroa Reserve in Tauranga.

Earlier this morning, one Tauranga resident said there was a "large police presence" on Totara Street.

"Traffic is backed up along Hewletts Road."

According to Google Maps, there was heavy traffic across many of the key roads in Tauranga.

A gathering in Hastings for the nationwide Hīkoi.

Large crowd gathers in Kaitāia

A large crowd gathers in Kaitāia for the hīkoi.

In Kaitāia, a large crowd has gathered for the nationwide hīkoi.

The protests, as of yesterday, were planned from the far north down to Dunedin, each with their own organisers.

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