A dawn karakia at Te Rerenga Wairua has launched a national hīkoi opposing the Treaty Principles bill and government policy impacting Māori.

Hīkoi mō te Tiriti participants gathered for a dawn blessing on Monday morning ahead of a nine-day journey to Wellington, with thousands expected to join the convoy as it makes its way across the country.

The hīkoi convoy will travel through Northland and is expected to make its first stop in Kaitaia at 10am Monday.

Participants will continue on to Moerewa, then Kawakawa, before arriving in Whangārei which will mark the first leg of the journey.

Minister of Police Mark Mitchell told Morning Report they were not expecting any problems, and a major operations centre had been set up.

Tauranga Moana is not on the hīkoi trail but lit fires on the week to "symbolises the heating of the whenua which will feed into the mauri of our hikoi. It’s a traditional practice that brings people together to support the kaupapa”. Read more here.

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