Senior Māori Labour MP Willie Jackson says he estimates that more than double the police’s estimate have turned up in force for the Toitu march across the Harbour Bridge.
Today, the Toitu Te Tiriti hikoi ascended onto the Auckland Harbour Bridge earlier than originally scheduled due to the weather.
Police estimates this morning predicted around 5,000 people would march across the bridge.
Jackson, who walked alongside his whānau, says that for generations, his whānau has been involved in kaupapa like this, so it’s fitting to attend it with them today.
“Nice to just come along tautoko the kaupapa and see all the people coming together. It’s a big thing to mobilize these sorts of numbers, particularly on a working day, when people are busy. It’s a big crowd,” says Jackson.
The group is beginning to split and head to Takaparawhau in Ōrākei and Ihumātao in Māngere.
