Hundreds of protesters have gathered at a North Shore marae tonight ahead of a mass hīkoi tomorrow morning that will close lanes on Auckland Harbour Bridge during rush hour traffic, sparking warnings of “significant congestion” for the city’s motorists.

Public transport could also be affected, with commuters being advised to plan ahead and consider delaying travel into the city.

Further disruptions are tipped for tomorrow’s evening rush hour commute when the hīkoi will head south on the Southern Motorway, with more traffic congestion expected.

Several thousand people have flocked to Te Kamaka Marae on Auckland’s North Shore this afternoon ahead of the March to Parliament Hīkoi over the harbour bridge tomorrow morning.

More than 100 vehicles have parked across the road at Hato Petera College and lined College Rd in Northcote.

Several thousand people have flocked to Te Kamaka Marae on Auckland’s North Shore this afternoon ahead of the March to Parliament Hīkoi over the harbour bridge tomorrow morning. Photo / Ben Plummer

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi can be seen welcoming people into the marae.

Traffic was blocked for several minutes as people crossed the road and entered the marae.

Several Māori and Te Kara flags can be seen flapping around in the wind as the sun sets over the marae.

A Herald reporter asked a protester what was their message to commuters tomorrow upset about delays. He responded: “Who f***ing cares.”

Several thousand people have flocked to Te Kamaka Marae on Auckland’s North Shore this afternoon ahead of the March to Parliament Hīkoi over the harbour bridge tomorrow morning. Photo / Ben Plummer

Some Auckland residents who will be caught up in tomorrow’s traffic delays say they are unhappy about the protest.

“Don’t these people realise the disruption they cause to normal working people?” one person wrote.

Another questioned why police were allowing protesters to march across the harbour bridge during rush hour, saying authorities were “failing the vast majority of the public” to accommodate a group of “disaffected” demonstrators.

“Why would police allow deliberate disruption by standing aside and letting the lives of 99% of us be disrupted by the outlying 1%?”

Several thousand people have flocked to Te Kamaka Marae on Auckland’s North Shore this afternoon ahead of the March to Parliament Hīkoi over the harbour bridge tomorrow morning. Photo / Ben Plummer

Another wrote: “I would question why police allow such massive disruption to commuters. Surely the protesters could be told not to access the bridge until after the peak commuter time. There has to be a clear line between peaceful protest and the disruption it will cause.”

Acting Mayor Desley Simpson advised Aucklanders to plan their travel well ahead tomorrow.

The hīkoi would arrive tomorrow morning and was expected to gather more people from across the region.

“As result of this, traffic disruption is expected across the city. I am very conscious it’s exam time for many students so please ensure you leave plenty of time to travel to and from exams. If you are using public transport please check AT’s journey planner and if your are driving, real-time information can be found on NZTA’s journey planner.”

Plan for ‘significant congestion’, authorities warn commuters

The morning harbour bridge lane closures are to allow the convoy of demonstrators protesting Government policies affecting Māori.

The protest, organised by Te Pāti Māori-aligned advocacy group Toitū teTiriti, is expected to travel southbound along Auckland’s Northern Motorway during the morning commute. Convoys will continue southbound on the Southern Motorway as commuters try to get home later that day.

After crossing the harbour bridge, protesters will split into two groups. One will travel to Ihumātao near Auckland International Airport and the other will go to Bastion Point near Mission Bay.

The protesters will then head to Wellington to gather at Parliament next Tuesday after passing through at least two dozen towns down the North Island.

‘Significant’ congestion on city roads, public transport disruption expected

The New Zealand Transport Agency and Auckland Transport are warning Aucklanders to plan ahead before leaving home and to prepare for potential disruptions from early tomorrow morning.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says the two northbound clip-on lanes of the harbour bridge will be closed and protesters will be able to walk across in groups of 250 in one- to two-minute intervals.

This was “to ensure the safety of hīkoi participants and road users”, the agency said.

They will walk from the Stafford Rd off-ramp and get off at Curran St on-ramp.

The rest of the bridge will remain open with reduced lanes.

NZTA is working with police and Auckland Transport to monitor and manage the expected disruption.

“The hīkoi ... has the potential to cause significant congestion, disruption and delays on key highways and arterial routes in the city tomorrow,” the transport agency said.

NZTA assured Aucklanders they would keep them updated on traffic in real-time.

“NZTA will be closely monitoring the impact of the hīkoi on the state highway network through our Traffic Operations Centres.

“Our advice for people is to check our online journey planner and traffic information pages for the latest information before travelling.”

Buses were also at risk of being delayed or detoured throughout the day, NZTA said.

“Auckland public transport users should allow extra time and plan ahead before travelling,” the agency said.

Police Superintendent Kelly Ryan said police have been monitoring the convoys since the protest action began early yesterday morning and there had been “no significant issues”.

Police have also warned Aucklanders to be prepared for disruptions around the city.

Ryan said at the weekendpolice had established a major operations centre at police headquarters in Wellington to oversee the response across the island.

The centre will give logistical, resource and communication support to all districts along the convoy route, Ryan said.

She said police had been speaking with organisers for many weeks.

“Our discussions with organisers to date have been positive and we expect the hīkoi to be conducted in a peaceful and lawful manner,” Ryan said.

“We’ve planned for large numbers to join the hīkoi, with disruption likely to some roads, including highways and main streets along the route.”

The Hīkoi mō te Tiriti officially started with a karakia at Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Rēinga) early on Monday morning.

Hundreds of people took part in Hīkoi mō te Tiriti on Monday in Kawakawa, as part of the Northland leg of the journey. Photo / Denise Piper 

The group said they are protesting Government policies affecting Māori — including the contentious Treaty Principles Bill.

The Treaty Principles Bill, advocated for by the Act Party, seeks to clarify the principles of the Treaty.

While National opposed the policy during the election campaign, the party agreed during coalition negotiations to support the legislation to a select committee. Luxon has said National will not back the bill past its first reading.

The Waitangi Tribunal last week said the Treaty Principles Bill would be “the worst, most comprehensive breach of the Treaty/TeTiriti in modern times”.

“At present, the progressing of the bill is having serious impacts on the relationship ... but the bill, if enacted, would kill that relationship.”

The report said Māori had been deliberately excluded from the consultation process of a policy that would “abrogate their fundamental rights”.