'Rally for democracy': Anti-Trans Pacific Partnership hikoi planned

A 2015 march against the TPPA in Tauranga. Photo / Andrew Warner, Bay of Plenty Times

An anti-Trans Pacific Partnership hikoi is planned for Wellington on Saturday, ahead of next week's formal signing of the controversial trade agreement.

The "rally for democracy" will start at 1pm at the gates of Government House, where a petition will be presented urging Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae to command the government to hold a binding referendum on the agreement.

Two hours later, the hikoi will end at Parliament, where there will be a mock auction "selling off democracy".

Organisers claim the "mood of the public" is opposed to the agreement, which will be signed at SkyCity in Auckland on Thursday.

"The TPP is an imposition on our parliamentary sovereignty to make laws that protect the public interest," said Amanda Vickers, from opposition group TTP Free Wellington.

Organisers say they also hold concerns about the effect of the TPP on Maori.

On Saturday, Wellington iwi Ngati Toa and Te Atiawa will gather at Waitangi Park on the capital's waterfront and march to Government House, where they meet the main hikoi.

The marchers' petition asks the Governor-General not to sign into law any legislation about the TPP unless there has been a binding referendum.

"No one can force the Governor-General to sign legislation," Ms Vickers said. "If he doesn't sign it, it doesn't become law."