National Māori Action Day - Te Pāti Māori protests in pictures

2:00 pm on 5 December 2023

Protest marches and convoys have been held around the country in response to Te Pāti Maori's call for action against the new government's policies on co-governance and the Treaty.

A group of 600 demonstrators walked to the forecourt of Parliament grounds in Wellington, and more than 1000 others have gathered at 20 sites around the country.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi led more than 600 people in a haka outside Parliament after they marched there from a motorway overbridge.

Police said there was some traffic disruption this morning, especially in Auckland where protestors drove slowly on the motorway.

A police spokesperson said there might continue to be delays for motorists as traffic congestion clears.

The spokesperson said the protests were peaceful and no arrests were reported.

In Wellington, people gathered on the Aurora Terrace overbridge to signal to motorway traffic their protest, before marching to Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

National Māori Action Day - Te Pāti Māori-organised protests in Wellington.

A protester holds a sign among marchers at Te Pāti Māori-organised protests in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Jessica Andrewes and Daynah Churcher at Welly protest

Jessica Andrewes and Daynah Churcher at the Wellington protest. Photo: RNZ / Soumya Bhamidipati

National Māori Action Day protest in New Plymouth.

Protests in New Plymouth. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin

Protesters walk along Bank St, Whangarei.

Protesters walk along Bank St, Whangārei. At one stage the hikoi stretched three city blocks, as people from all over Northland and as far away as Ahipara joined the march. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Protests in Whangārei. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

The protest convoy on the motorway at Hobsonville, as a car goes past the protest vehicles on the motorway shoulder.

A motorist overtakes the protest convoy on the motorway shoulder at Hobsonville, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel

Demonstrators at the West Auckland suburb of Hobsonville.

Demonstrators in the West Auckland suburb of Hobsonville. Photo: RNZ / Taiha Molyneux

National Māori Action Day: Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi at the protest in Wellington, 5 December 2023.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi at the protest in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Marchers approach Parliament in Wellington, 5 December 2023. The first meeting of the newly-elected Parliament was taking place on Monday morning.

Marchers approach Parliament in Wellington. The first meeting of the newly elected Parliament was taking place on Monday morning. Photo: RNZ / Tessa Guest