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As protesters march from the top of the North Island and bottom of the South to meet in Wellington, their numbers are growing, causing disruption.
Protests are underway against the contentious bill.
As government leaders and Māori meet, anger and resentment about a proposal to possibly change the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi boils over.
Motorways have been brought to a halt, roads around Parliament closed, and extra police called in as a day of protest marks the delivery of the Budget.
The haka encouraged people to ‘never fold and never bend’ or be ‘puppets of this redneck government,’ raising the ire of Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.
Booing and singing over government speakers has characterised the first morning at Waitangi, the official celebration of New Zealand’s national day.
The move comes as the current government looks into removing distinct laws and government positions for Indigenous people.
Ahead of New Zealand’s national day, Waitangi Day, on Feb. 6, the coalition party has made its strongest statement yet on government-Māori relations.
The governing ACT says the Treaty of Waitangi does not mean separate political positions and laws for Maori people.
The Maori Party is organising the protest.
