The bill was introduced in November 2024 by the right-wing coalition government as a key policy goal of David Seymour (leader of the libertarian ACT party).

Seymour rejected the idea that the Treaty of Waitangi was a partnership between the New Zealand Crown and Māori iwi.

They maintain that they will vote it down at the second reading while Seymour has suggested they may support the bill following the select committee process.

Attending the march in Wellington were politicians, as well as the Māori Queen, Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō.

Since 1975, Parliament, courts and the Waitangi Tribunal have looked to the wider intention of the treaty in order to define its principles.

Seymour states it "provides an opportunity for parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law.

[18][19] Māori leaders were disturbed by the fact that the bill was presented a week earlier than had been expected, which they called "dishonourable", and possibly an attempt to pre-empt the national hīkoi.

It was also claimed that it demonstrated a culture of New Zealand governments taking unilateral action without Māori consultation.

[25][27] A poll conducted in February 2024 showed 36% in support of a referendum on the bill, with 35% opposed, the rest undecided.

[28][29] An October 2024 poll by Curia and commissioned by the Taxpayers' Union found that 45% supported the Treaty Principles Bill, 25% opposed it, and 29% were unsure.

[11] Starting in Onopoto Domain in Northcote, around 5,000[33] protestors crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge in the morning of 13 November.

Well-known activist Tāme Iti joined the crowd, and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi gave a speech.

[35] A secondary hīkoi set off from the top of East Cape in Potaka, making its way down State Highway 35 to meet up with the main convoy eventually in Hastings.

[37] The Square, Palmerston North's civic plaza, "burst at the seams" with around 5,000 people attending the rally held there on 17 November.

Deputy mayor Debi Marshall-Lobb spoke to the crowd and voiced the city council's support for the hīkoi.

[39] Over 2,000 people marched around Nelson on 14 November, from 1903 Square to Trafalgar St then Te Piki Mai on to the city's centre.

[47][48] Attendees gave several reasons for their presence including supporting the founding document of Māori modern history (the Treaty), opposing its dilution, to having been summoned to protest by their tupuna (ancestors).

[49][18] Outside parliament several MPs and Māori leaders, such as Helmut Modik and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, made speeches in support of the hīkoi.

[47] Around 300 people, including Indigenous Australians, protested in Sydney on 16 November,[51] while supporters gathered with tino rangatiratanga flags in Honolulu, ending at ʻIolani Palace.

[51] Hawaiian-born Hollywood actor Jason Momoa asked his Instagram followers to support the marchers, stating that "they are fighting for their rights, their culture, and their coming generations".

[15] Seymour and other ACT MPs appeared on the forecourt of Parliament and received a negative reaction from the gathered crowd in the form of chants of "kill the bill"[18] and booing.

[47] Seymour has suggested that National and NZ First may support the bill following the select committee process.

[56] On 10 December, House Speaker Gerry Brownlee referred Labour MP Peeni Henare, Te Pāti Māori MPs Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Privileges Committee for leading a haka (ka mate) that interrupted the vote during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill.

[58] Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki led a "Make New Zealand Great Again" motor rally in Auckland on 16 November in opposition to the hīkoi.

The Make NZ Great Again rally caused traffic disruption on State Highway 1 after several participants exited their vehicles and marched on the motorway.