Rally blasts TPPA risks

Cathryn Eden took centrestage at a rally in Civic Square, Hastings, on Saturday, as part of a nationwide Day of Action against the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). Photo / Duncan Brown

Echoing chants and bold signs sent a clear message of concern.

More than 100 Hawke's Bay people gathered in Hastings Civic Square on Saturday to raise issues about the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

With final negotiations expected to take place this month, rally organisers Maxine Boag and Ngatai Huata wanted to give a voice to community concern.

They were not alone. Protest marches were held in 22 cities and towns throughout New Zealand, the fifth such event in the past year.

Many were worried about a lack of public consultation for the TPPA, which could give corporations the ability to sue governments if laws affected their profits. Locals also pondered the effect such an agreement could have on such things as food labelling, healthcare, workers' rights, internet freedom and the environment.

"Under the TPPA, transnational corporations will be able to dictate changes to New Zealand laws," Napier Grey Power representative and Napier City Council member Maxine Boag said. "It represents one of the greatest threats to New Zealand sovereignty, and it is being negotiated in secrecy."

The Hawke's Bay event was launched with speeches from representatives of community organisations, workplaces, unions and political parties at 12.15pm and finished at about 2pm with a waiata.

Ms Boag described the day as "peaceful and pleasant" despite the passionate topic of conversation. "There are no benefits for workers or farmers that we can see.

"It's all about big corporations."

On Wednesday March 25 Napier City Council's regulatory standing committee will consider a recommendation to adopt a 12-point resolution that expresses concern about the TPPA.

So far the resolution had been adopted by city councils in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, Tasman and Wellington.