5:31 pm today

10,000 join hīkoi as Treaty bill protest halts traffic in Rotorua

5:31 pm today

An estimated 10,000 people have marched through Rotorua today as part of Hīkoi mō te Tiriti.

Due to the size of the group, Fenton Street was blocked temporarily as the hīkoi went through, police say.

It is anticipated that on Friday afternoon the main hīkoi will travel via Taupō to Hastings, where participants will stay overnight.

Meanwhile, in Gisborne, a smaller hīkoi of around 80 people left Te Poho-O-Rāwiri Marae this morning heading south, accompanied by several vehicles.

There have been no problems reported at any of these locations.

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