The Hīkoi mō te Tiriti has officially ended in Wellington this evening with a concert at Waitangi Park.

The nine-day protest march started at Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Rēinga) last Monday and ended in Wellington today, after more than 42,000, by police estimates, gathered at the Parliament grounds.

It was a peaceful protest throughout the nine-days, with no major incidents to report.

Ex-National MP and unsuccessful candidate at 2023 election Harete Hipango joined the Hīkoi.

Hundreds of people are still gathered at Wellington’s Waitangi Park as a concert part of the Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi continues.

There is music, dancing, food trucks and a party atmosphere to mark the end of the nine-day hīkoi that began at Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Rēinga) last Monday and will finish in Wellington today.

The concert is expected to end at 7pm.

Police are urging Hīkoi mō te Tiriti attendees to travel safe as they begin their journey home this evening.

David Seymour told RNZ's Checkpoint it was difficult to hear what was being said from where he stood when he walked out of Parliament to face the protest.

"But I think they were saying something about me not ... shouldn't be there."

Asked why he promoting the bill, he said: "We've got a New Zealand where people conceive themselves as being part of groups, rather than as part of a country, and therefore put up these barriers."

RNZ's Lisa Owen said he had been wanting to promote a conversation, and asked if today was the conversation he had imagined?

Submissions were now open to the public as the bill was before the justice committee - and anybody could have their say on the bill "and the way we intention... sorry... see the Treaty in modern times".

"There will always be people who are out there making a lot of noise.

"I think at the end of the day the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders are at work, going to school, and they'll be able to engage in this debate in their own way.

"So you wouldn't want to take this hīkoi as being representative of NZ."

Owen circled back to the comment about how he "intentioned" the Treaty to be in modern times, and Seymour said he misspoke. "I don't know where that word came from."

- RNZ

Police are urging Hīkoi mō te Tiriti attendees to travel safe as they begin their journey home this evening.

Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell says by mid-afternoon the number of people gathered at the Parliamentary precinct and in the surrounding streets had grown to approximately 42,000.

“Today’s hīkoi ran smoothly and safely, moving from Waitangi Park, through the Central Business District and on to Parliament without any cause for concern.

“We would like to extend our appreciation to those involved in the hīkoi for how they conducted their movements today, and the positive way in which they engaged with us throughout.

“We also wish to thank the wider community for their cooperation and patience while roads were closed.”

Ambulances on site at both Parliament and Waitangi Park responded to around 20 medical-related incidents, with one person transported to hospital.

Multiple people were reported missing throughout the day, predominantly children. All have now been reunited with their families.

Around 2000 people have now returned to Waitangi Park for the day’s final event, which is expected to finish about 7pm.

Police will continue to have a presence at Waitangi Park throughout the evening.

Superintendent Parnell says those attending today have come from far and wide, and many will be tired.

“Fatigue is a major risk factor in serious and fatal crashes – if you’re feeling tired, don’t drive.

“If you feel fatigue coming on, stop and have a rest.

“A 15-20 minute nap can help, or else consider a longer sleep before you drive again.”

Police would also like to remind motorists to expect more traffic on the roads as people make their way out of the city.

The Hutt Valley train line will be on bus replacements from 8:30pm this evening, with the last train on that line leaving Wellington Station at 8:05pm.

Please refer to the Metlink website for further information.

One person was arrested on Cable Street around midday today for disorderly behaviour and indecent assault, with charges being considered.

No further incidents of note were reported over the last 48 hours.

“Members of the hīkoi remained peaceful throughout their time in our region," Superintendent Parnell says.

Hīkoi mō te Tiriti began in Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) eight days ago on 11 November, and arrived in the Wellington District on Sunday (17 November).