A group of protesters has stalled in its mission to move through Auckland to Waitangi

The so called "Hikoi of Truth" was stopped at the Mercer border by Police, and had to spend a night camping out.

They've been criticised by Maori leaders and politicians.

National Party Leader Judith Collins describes the group as idiots, and says they should go home and get vaccinated.

Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua Chief Operating Officer Antony Thompson says the protesters getting to Northland would be a huge risk.

He says while vaccination rates there are improving, they aren't going up as fast as they'd like.