Coalition leader, David Seymour has slammed the Te Pāti Māori party for stirring up a protest that has caused major traffic delays across the North Island, calling members of the party "on the wrong side of history".

Thousands have gathered this morning for mass nationwide protests - with some convoys hitting Auckland motorways during peak-hour traffic.

In Wellington, 1000 protestors have arrived on Parliament grounds after marching there on foot.

The protests were planned against Government policies labelled “anti-Māori” and signalled by Te Pāti Māori as possibly one of many this parliamentary term.

But according to Seymour, the actions of Te Pāti Māori were based on the fact they lost the election and weren't happy with the result. 

"It's a sad day when a political party is protesting equal rights," said Seymour in a statement. 

"New Zealanders want a respectful debate on the constitutional future of our country and that's what they've voted for."

Seymour's Act Party had pushed heavily for a referendum on the Treaty of Waitangi interpretation - a controversial policy that was accepted by the coalition Government but met with heavy resistance from those in opposition. 

"Act’s Treaty Principles Bill and proposed referendum are needed to ensure a healthy debate on whether our future lies with co-government and different rights based on ancestry, or whether we want to be a modern, multi-ethnic liberal democracy where every New Zealander has the same rights," said Seymour. 

He claimed Te Pāti Māori didn't respect democracy and the party needed to come to terms with what the country had voted for. 

“Back in October, when asked by Newshub what he would do if he could change Parliament, co-leader Rawiri Waititi said “I’m not a fan of democracy, because democracy is a tyranny of the majority. This explains the behaviour of Te Pāti Māori," the Act leader said.

"They’re not here to uphold democracy, they’re here to wreck it. Why did they contest the election if they intended to disrespect the result when it didn’t go their way? It’s heads we win, tails you lose."

Seymour went on to claim the Te Pāti Māori chairman, John Tamihere had specifically called out Act minister Karen Chhour’s work to ensure the best interests of the child "are put before race-based factors enshrined in 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act".

He said Te Pāti Māori were protesting against policies that would support the well-being of "the most vulnerable and at-risk children in New Zealand".

"They have done this today to coincide with, and disrupt, the official opening of Parliament," said Seymour.

"It is theatrics when New Zealanders just want their government to get on with fixing the many issues New Zealand is dealing with."

The protests started at about 7am across numerous New Zealand cities and at major traffic pressure points including near Auckland’s Northern Motorway at the Palmers Albany Garden Centre and near the Southern Motorway at BP Bombay.

Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi was seen leading protesters on a march to parliament. They gathered above State Highway One’s Terrace Tunnel, holding signs like “Honour the Treaty” and “Racism Won’t Win”.

Waititi briefly addressed the crowd, which included young demonstrator Tessa. She said she wanted to show up, add to the numbers and make a point on the first day of Parliament that Maori aren’t going to be quiet - and they’re going to fight for their rights.