A protest by the Ngai Te Rangi iwi in Tauranga disrupted a ship arriving into the city's port on Saturday morning.
A waka and a fleet of small boats blocked the shipping lane to protest what they claim is a secret Treaty deal between the Crown and a Hauraki iwi claiming an interest in Tauranga's land and sea.
In response, the Port of Tauranga and the Harbourmaster decided not to not move a ship through the blockade.
The iwi says the Government is attempting to restructure the tribal make-up in Tauranga by introducing Hauraki tribes into Tauranga political structures.
"Those rights that they're seeking would put them on an equal status with the three Tauranga moana who have been here forever," says Ngai Te Rangi chairman Charlie Tawhiao.
"We understand why they're doing it; who wouldn't want to come here? Who wouldn't want to be a part of this beautiful place and who wouldn't want to participate in the booming economy here?"
The iwi says the point of the two days of protest is to send a message to Cabinet that Minister Chris Finlayson and some of his officials are taking Treaty negotiations on a pathway to ongoing disruption, uncertainty and damage to the economy.
Iwi from around the country joined the protest to support Ngai Te Rangi, and the protest was also carried out on land with people gathered on nearby hills.
Newshub.
