Parliament

Te Ao Māori News has obtained a copy of a letter written by Act MP Todd Stephenson to Speaker Gerry Brownlee complaining about the MPs who took part in the haka that went viral.

After a bill passes its first reading, it is sent to the relevant select committee.

For all of the hīkoi's contentious subject matter, one issue seemed harder to agree on than most - how big the crowd was.

Green MP Tamatha Paul stood in front of a crowd of 35,000 people united in trying to stop the controversial Treaty Principles Bill in her electorate.

He spoke in front of a crowd of more than 35,000 in and around Parliament grounds today, all there to support the hīkoi he began nine days ago at te Herenga Wairua.

Police estimate more than 15,000 people gathered at Waitangi Park in Wellington, with an additional 4,000 people waiting at Parliament for the hīkoi to join them.

"David Seymour has done this deliberately. He knows exactly what he’s doing. National and New Zealand First unfortunately have signed up for that."

The national hīkoi which has covered both Te Ika-a-Māui and Te Waipounamu has now converged on Wellington as protesters prepare to march to Pāremata.

Labour MP Willie Jackson was told to leave by the Speaker of the House after not apologising for his comments made to Act's David Seymour.

He also acknowledged and apologised on behalf of all successive Labour-led governments for playing a role in the neglect, abuse, trauma and torture.