Hīkoi to Parliament: Politicians reveal plans for protest as police, security prepare for thousands

Tens of thousands of New Zealanders are expected to march onto Parliament’s grounds on Tuesday to vociferously protest the coalition Government’s policies towards Māori, including the Treaty Principles Bill . There will be a massive security presence on the parliamentary precinct for what is expected to be one of the largest protests to make a stand in front of the Beehive in recent years. The Police Minister says officers have the resources to respond to any eventuality, and Parliament’s communications team on Monday told staff police have a “significant operation under way”.

While Opposition MPs are preparing to join the hīkoi group and then make speeches once they arrive at Parliament at around midday, so far Government ministers are yet to commit to meeting with demonstrators. Act leader David Seymour, the minister behind the contentious legislation, will wait until closer to the hīkoi arriving before deciding about whether to front up. One of the organisers of the protest previously said they had no interest in meeting with Seymour.



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