More than 2500 people have gathered at Whareroa Reserve this morning ahead of a national day of disruption launched by Te Pāti Māori to coincide with Budget day.
The protest was delayed to allow protesters caught in traffic to arrive.
Several thousand supporters are marching behind kaumatua, chanting, waving flags and signs and pushing babies in prams as they leave the reserve and move down two lanes of Hewletts Rd.
Traffic waits as police look on with folded arms and safety marshals shepherd protestors into an orderly line.
Truck and car horns are met with waves as tamariki sit on their parent’s shoulders. The atmosphere is purposeful, driven by those shouting messages over megaphones.
Traffic waits as police look on with folded arms and safety marshals shepherd protestors into an orderly line.
Video by Adam Stuart.
Traffic at a standstill
Earlier, traffic was at a standstill on Hewletts Rd. The road was down to one lane near Taiaho Pl. A contingent of police officers has gathered in the area.
The two city-bound lanes on Hewletts Rd from Totara St to Tauranga Bridge Marina are closed.
The eastbound traffic heading to the Mount is down to one lane during this section with westbound traffic being diverted to the other lane.
Traffic on Takitumu Drive and Hewletts Rd is heavily backed up as a result, while police have gathered on Totara St.
One commuter said it took them one hour and twenty minutes to get from Mount Maunganui to the Tauranga CBD due to the gridlock.
Crowds building at Whareroa Reserve.
“My heart is crying now and I have goosebumps and shivers,” Ngāi Te Rangi communications spokesperson Reon Tuanu told the Bay of Plenty Times.
“Today the gods have smiled and it was about Māori unity. There is this vibe as I’m looking at the crowd. I can taste it the ahuatanga.”
Ngāi Te Rangi communications spokesperson Reon Tuanu. Photos: Alex Cairns.
Children were playing Tug o’ War in the reserve while they waited for the hīkoi to start.
Children play Tug O War while they wait for the hīkoi to begin. Photo / Alex Cairns.
It’s the second time the iwi joined in a nationwide Te Pāti Māori protest expected to disrupt roads around the country – similar to its action on December 5.
4 comments
Where is law enforcement
Posted on 30-05-2024 12:00 | By Rob .
Brandishing offensive weapons, walking it the roadway, where are the Police who are supposed to be upholding the law of the land?
Apparently we already have two judicial systems
Laugh out loud
Posted on 30-05-2024 13:46 | By Come on TCC!
Isn't it ironic that a protest designed to disrupt traffic was delayed to allow protesters caught in traffic to arrive.
Maybe Tauranga is not the right city for this type of protest lol
This is not all Maori
Posted on 30-05-2024 16:50 | By kpazer
The Maori Party do not represent all Maori. It is misleading. They need to change their name to the "Maori Activist Party" or something similar.
@ Rob
Posted on 31-05-2024 09:42 | By Yadick
You do raise a very valid point re weapons.
Why were these unpredictable radicals allowed to block our roads AND carry weapons? They also had weapon imagery in their advertising. I would absolutely hope those carrying weapons will face arrest and charges. Also what about those driving down the road without seat belts, unrestrained kids and passengers and insecure objects flying/hanging from the vehicles.
I trust with all my heart that the Police will step up on these ILLEGAL ACTIONS.
Enough is enough . . .
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