!["The [flotilla activists] were then illegally brought to Israel to face further abuse under the watch of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the terrorist thug serving as the Minister of National Security, who caused global outrage."](https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-actists-AW-680wide-218x150.png "Andy Worthington: The startling severity of Gaza flotilla activists’ rape allegations")
Emotions are running high as the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti has been welcomed to Laurie Hill Park in Whangārei by mana whenua.
Thousands have arrived to support the kaupapa — young and old, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, all to make a stand for the rights of Māori.
The crowd have joined in waiata before being addressed by rangatira.
- READ MORE: Hīkoi mō te Tiriti day one: ‘Lets make this hīkoi build a nation’
- RNZ live hīkoi news feed
An RNZ reporter at the scene says among the crowd, emotions are high and tears can be seen in some people’s eyes.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
!["The [flotilla activists] were then illegally brought to Israel to face further abuse under the watch of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the terrorist thug serving as the Minister of National Security, who caused global outrage."](https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-actists-AW-680wide-100x70.png "Andy Worthington: The startling severity of Gaza flotilla activists’ rape allegations")
