Hundreds of Māori protestors have begun a nine-day march from Cape Reinga, in New Zealand's North Island, toward Wellington to protest the Treaty Principles Bill.

According to Toitu Te Tiriti spokesperson Eru Kapa Kingi, the protest seeks to spark broader conversations about the relationship between New Zealand and Māori communities.

"This is to build a hunger not just with Māori but also people in Aotearoa to properly understand the people of this country and what happened to Indigenous people," he said as reported by Reuters.

As protesters journey across the North Island, protesters will make stops to hold rallies and marches in major cities and towns.

On Wednesday, they gathered in Whangarei, Dargaville and Auckland, before holding events in Auckland again on Thursday.

The following days will see stops in Huntly, Hamilton, and Rotorua, continuing to Hastings and Palmerston North, with a gathering in Porirua on November 18.

On the South Island, separate rallies will also take place.

A convoy will run from Invercargill to Christchurch on November 17 followed by another convoy from Christchurch to Wellington on November 18, arriving by ferry in Wellington later that evening.

Protests are expected to culminate in a major rally at Wellington's Parliament House, where thousands are anticipated to join.

Organisers expect significant turnout, potentially in the tens of thousands, for this final protest, as reported by RNZ.

The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced by Associate Justice Minister David Seymour of the ACT Party.

Mr Seymour said the bill aims to offer clarity and bring Treaty-related discussions back to Parliament rather than the courts.

However prominent legal professionals have criticised the bill, arguing it would alter the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi and disadvantage Māori communities.

More than 40 King's Counsel members have publicly urged Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to withdraw the bill, citing concerns over its impact on New Zealand's constitutional framework.

The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, is central to New Zealand's legal and social systems.

Its principles, including partnership and active protection, have been gradually expanded through judicial interpretations and the Waitangi Tribunal, which resolves Treaty-related issues.

Critics argue the bill would limit these principles, effectively altering Māori rights.

The Waitangi Tribunal previously recommended halting the Treaty Principles Bill, describing it as a breach of the Treaty.

Legal experts argue the bill undermines Article 2 of the Treaty, which guarantees Māori rights by reducing protections to only those codified in historical settlements.

The government's move has ignited racial tensions.

Prime Minister Luxon labelled the bill "divisive," while the ACT Party maintains it aims to promote a national conversation on the Treaty's place in New Zealand's constitution.

Security will likely increase around protest routes and gathering points, with potential disruptions to traffic and public transport.

Although the protests are anticipated to remain peaceful, confrontations may occur if authorities attempt to reopen closed roads or forcibly disperse crowds.

The nine-day march and rally series is expected to prompt further discourse over the interpretation of the Treaty and New Zealand's commitment to Māori rights, with significant implications for the country's social and legal landscape.