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Public Health Assoc critical of govt support for TPP
The Public Health Association is criticising the government’s support for the signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership.
The advocacy group’s chief executive Warren Lindberg said despite the government’s claim those concerned about the trade deal were against free trade, it was worried about health issues – such as the cost of medicines.
“It is not the Public Health Association’s position that we are either for or against free trade per se, we have raised issues of concern to the impact of this agreement to the health of New Zealanders.”
Read More: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/294244/public-health-assoc-critical-of-govt-support-for-tpp
Govt not welcome to Waitangi if TPPA is signed – Kingi Taurua
Ngāpuhi kaumātua and spokesperson for Te Tii Marae says the Government will not be welcome at Waitangi if a proposal to sign the TPPA goes ahead on the week of the nation’s celebrations next month. He says the lack of proper consultation with Māori means they have been left in the dark.
Bryan Gould: TPP signing a denial of democracy
It is one of the peculiarities of a Westminster-style constitution that the power to conclude international treaties rests exclusively with the executive – in our case, with the Cabinet. The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) is no exception.
While a National Impact Assessment will be prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and will most likely be considered by a select committee, our elected representatives can – if the government wishes – be totally ignored.
READ MORE: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11573810
ItsOurFuture
Bulletin #82
20 January 2016
TPPA signing Auckland, 4 February
The secrecy-obsessed New Zealand government finally admitted that the signing would take place in Auckland but still hasn’t confirmed the date (although Chile and Peru governments did) or a location, although it almost certainly won’t be at Sky City as previously rumoured. Apparently the delay in confirming a date is because some governments (possibly Canada, Japan, Malaysia) haven’t fulfilled their pre-signing procedures – neither has New Zealand. The lack of a democratic mandate isn’t holding our government back. Hopefully several TPPA nations may decide not to sign.
Read more plus important events: https://envirowatchrangitikei.wordpress.com/
Maori feel ‘kept in the dark’ over TPP
By Audrey Young, NZ Herald
Opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership seems set spill over to Waitangi Day celebrations in the north, with Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis saying a showdown between Ngapuhi would not be a surprise.
He said the Government had failed to explain the deal and Maori felt “kept in the dark.”
Ngapuhi elder Kingi Taurua said this week the Government was not welcome at Waitangi’s Te Tii Marae because the Trans Pacific Partnership was a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi because Maori had been “left out.” Read More: http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11577244
TPPA repeats Treaty of Waitangi injustices
New expert analysis of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) shows that it will take power away from Māori, the Green Party said today.
The analysis criticises a lack of consultation with Māori and shows how the TPPA limits the ability of tangata whenua to exercise control over their own affairs because it transfers power from the government, which has obligations to Māori, to multinational corporations, which don’t. It finds that the TPPA’s intellectual property chapter will ‘make it more difficult for Māori to achieve changes to New Zealand IP law that are necessary to protect rights and obligations of kaitiaki in relation to mātauranga Māori.’
Read More: https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/tppa-repeats-treaty-waitangi-injustices
TPPA a loss of sovereignty says Harawira
Mana leader Hone Harawira says John Key’s Government has signed away New Zealand’s sovereignty by agreeing to the Trans Partnership
The deal to manage trade and services across 12 Pacific rim counties was concluded in Atlanta, Georgia yesterday after last-chance negotiations were extended by several days. Read More: http://www.waateanews.com/Waatea+News.html?story_id=MTA4NTg%3D&v=179
Kingi Taurua says Government not welcome to Waitangi if TPPA signed
Written By: – Date published: 7:45 am, January 19th, 2016
The government’s insistence on ramming through the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement is adversely affecting its relationship with Maori. From Te Karere:
Ngāpuhi kaumātua and spokesperson for Te Tii Marae [Kingi Tairua] says the Government will not be welcome at Waitangi if a proposal to sign the TPPA goes ahead on the week of the nation’s celebrations next month. He says the lack of proper consultation with Māori means they have been left in the dark.
Read More: http://thestandard.org.nz/kingi-taurua-says-government-not-welcome-to-waitangi-if-tppa-signed/
Japanese group sues to stop TPP talks
By RICHARD SMITH, For the Capital Press
TOKYO — A former Japanese agricultural minister is leading a legal challenge of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement that is being negotiated by 12 nations, including the U.S. and Japan.
Masahiko Yamada is leading a group of 1,063 people that have filed a 45,650,000 yen — about $370,000 — lawsuit against the Japanese government in Tokyo District Court.
Read More: http://www.capitalpress.com/Nation_World/Nation/20150904/japanese-group-sues-to-stop-tpp-talks
Rātana hui chance for iwi to voice opposition against TPP
By Ripeka Timutimu, Maori Television
VIEW VIDEO AT SOURCE
Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe says Rātana will be the last opportunity for iwi to unite and voice opposition over the signing of the TPP.
Trade Minister Todd McClay confirmed today the Government will host the signing of the agreement on February 4 in Auckland.
Preparations have begun for Rātana celebrations this weekend, and Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe is expecting heated debate over the TPP.
Rurawhe says, “I think the TPPA issue will definitely be a subject to discuss on the marae.”
Read More: http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/ratana-hui-chance-iwi-voice-opposition-against-tpp
Here is what happens next with the TPPA
TDB recommends Voyager – Unlimited internet @home as fast as you can getThe right are attempting to counter the growing rage many NZers are now starting to feel, All Blacks included, over Key telling them that the TPPA would be debated in Parliament with the news (originally denied by the Government) that Key will sign the TPPA days before Waitangi Day and days before Parliament is even open.
– See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/01/13/here-is-what-happens-next-with-the-tppa/#sthash.SwgU4lkA.dpuf
Close to signing,TPPA can be stopped
There is still time to stop the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, writes Rosemary Penwarden 21/1/16
Otago Daily Times: The TPPA text was finalised in Atlanta last October and will be signed here in Auckland on February 4.
But there’s lots more to go before it becomes reality….
From all accounts it appears to be by corporations for corporations, designed to help them get special deals they wouldn’t otherwise be able to get because countries’ democratic laws and protections get in the way of their profits.
US corporate lawyers had a big hand in writing the TPPA and the ISDS (Investor State Dispute Settlement) chapter is a way they can make sure no country’s citizens impede their ability to make a buck. If it does, they’ll sue.
Want to raise the minimum wage once the TPPA finally becomes reality? Think again.
Egypt did in 2012 and via a similar ISDS clause French multinational Veolia, which owns some of Auckland’s buses and is currently vying for some of Christchurch’s infrastructure services, sued the Egyptian Government for doing so (it raised the minimum monthly wage for salaried workers from $NZ88 to $NZ155).
Read more: http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/370406/close-signingtppa-can-be-stopped
Rod Oram: Dark clouds on the horizon 24/01/16
The benefits for New Zealand’s from the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal will be meagre
The weaknesses and dangers of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement are analysed in a set of research papers now available at bit.ly/TPPApapers.
This columnist contributed sections on TPPA’s likely influence on value chains and 21st century trade agreements. The conclusions for New Zealand are ominous…
Read More: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/76114721/Rod-Oram-Dark-clouds-on-the-horizon
EXCLUSIVE: An open invitation from Professor Jane Kelsey
Police door knock ‘known activists’ ahead of TPP protests
Police are checking in on “known activists” around the country ahead of TPP protests later this week.
Scout Barbour-Evans, a Dunedin transgender activist who goes by the gender-neutral pronoun “they”, said an officer knocked on their door about 10 this morning.
The officer wanted to know what the plans were for anti-Trans-Pacific Partnership action in Dunedin, Scout said.
Scout compared the situation to the Springbok tour, saying the increased surveillance feels akin to 1981, particularly following the presence of armed police at Prime Minister John Key’s State of the Nation speech in Auckland yesterday.
Read More:http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11581217
TPPA – A “Family-friendly … Non-violent” March Planned for the 4th Feb
“It’s Our Future will hold a march down Queen St on Thursday 4th February. It will be loud, colourful, family-friendly and inclusive of all those who oppose the signing of the TPPA. It will be a symbol of the massive public opposition to the Key government signing the TPPA.
“Hosting the signing of the TPPA at Sky City just before Waitangi Day is a calculated move by the government, presumably with the goal of inciting violence and attempting to discredit the huge campaign against the TPPA”, says spokesperson for Its Our Future, Barry Coates.
“The Key government could have chosen a venue that would have been easy to secure and less of a symbolic target,” Coates said. “By announcing riot training for police, specifically targeted at the Sky City signing, the government has ramped up the level of provocation to opponents of the deal.”
“It’s Our Future, the network organising the main campaign against the TPPA, is not buying into the government’s game plan. We will hold a loud and passionate march down Queen St on 4 February 2016 continuing our kaupapa of family-friendly protest and non-violence.”….”
Read More: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/01/27/tppa-march-will-be-inclusive-of-all-its-our-future/?utm_content=buffer6e246&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Maori Council to injunct Government over TPP signing
Willie and Ali talks to Maanu Paul, co-chairman of the New Zealand Maori Council over their plans to injunct the signing of the TPP. VIDEO/SOUND AT SOURCE
Maori elder Kingi Taurua sends TPPA partners, Queen a formal notice of veto of trade agreement
Kingi Taurua, a prominent Nga Puhi elder at Waitangi’s Te Tii Marae, has sent a formal notice of veto of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement to the embassies and trade departments of its proposed partner countries, and has requested that the Queen intervene on the issue.
The document cites the Treaty of Waitangi and the 1835 Declaration of Independence of New Zealand, and states that the New Zealand government does not have “due authority” to sign the TPPA without the agreement of Maori elders, “which [agreement] has not been given”.
Mr Taurua claims that the TPPA would be void in respect of New Zealand’s involvement as a result, should it be signed.
NZ Food Security has obtained a copy of the document sent by Mr Taurua, which is titled “Notice of Non-Assent to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and Exercise of Constitutional Power of Veto in Respect Thereof”.
The public release of the document comes just a day before the TPPA is due to be signed in Auckland, New Zealand on February 4 by visiting politicians from countries around the Pacific.
Mr Taurua is currently meeting with other Maori elders at Te Tii Marae in preparation for a visit by John Key, prime minister of New Zealand, and other government officials on Waitangi Day, February 6, after the scheduled signing.
UPDATES ON 4TH FEBRUARY SIGNING:
At this stage the signing is like a gentlemans agreement/business deal. Read this email I got this morning – video link to come on stunt done on Sky tower. Also new website to look at.
Today is the day Trade Ministers converge at a Casino in Auckland (note: not Parliament) to sign the biggest corporate power grab of our time.
It’s important to remember that this signing is ceremonial, rather than legally binding, and the TPPA still has a long, and rocky road ahead before it can be ratified and have legal effect. We still have time to stop the TPPA! Especially in America, where Obama doesn’t even have enough votes in Congress to pass the deal (I highly recommend you watch the video in the footer for more on this — super hopeful but slightly long 23 minute watch)
A peaceful non-violent direct action blockade organised by Real Choice is already underway and I’ll be joining It’s Our Future’s whānau friendly protest march at 12pm down Queen Street today. If you’re in Auckland and you can make, I hope to see you there too! Let’s march together? Here are the details:
I’ll also have banners from our sister organisations, LeadNow in Canada and GetUp! in Australia that combined represent the voices of more than 1.6 million people opposed to TPPA. I need some volunteers to carry these banners on behalf of our brothers and sisters in these countries so if that’s you, please contact me on laura@actionstation.org.nzor meet me at 360 Queen Street from 11.30am.
If you can’t make the Auckland rally, but you’re based in Palmerston North, Hastings, Wellington or Christchurch you can find details of rallies in your area here: www.actionstation.org.nz/tppa_events
And if you can’t make it to any rally at all, one of the best things you can do right now is help raise awareness of this dodgy deal and let people know that the fight is not over. Our crowdfunded and people-powered information website launched yesterday. Crowdfunded by you and informed by expert peer-reviewed analysis, take a look and share the factsheets widely so every New Zealander can assess the biggest ‘trade’ deal of our time with eyes wide open:
Click here to visit (and share) www.tppafacts.co.nz
Kiwi’s all over Aotearoa have shown, and continue to show, strong opposition to this treacherous deal. People all around the world have done the same. People power represents the true “Trans-Pacific Partnership”.
Power to the people,
Laura on behalf of the ActionStation team.
PS. We successfully greeted arriving Trade Ministers at Auckland Airport yesterday with a giant screen telling them they’re not welcome AND pulled off a giant stunt at Sky Tower that we’ll be able to release in a video soon. Watch this space!
More information:
The TPPA will likely fall down in US Congress, speech by Lori Wallach: Watch video
Link to the Blockade: https://www.facebook.com/events/164280047278090/
Link to the Auckland rally: https://www.facebook.com/events/772157016222072/
Link to the other TPPA rallies around the country: https://www.actionstation.org.nz/tppa_events
TPPA signing: Live coverage from Auckland as trade deal signed
“Trade ministers from the 12 countries involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPPA) today signed the biggest trade deal in history, here in Auckland. Never before has a free-trade deal provoked so much interest – or so much outrage…”
Trans-Pacific Partnership deal signed as protesters block Auckland
(INCLUDES VIDEO)
Twelve Pacific rim countries have signed a sweeping trade deal in New Zealand today. Hailed as the “biggest trade deal in a generation”, the TPP is designed to free up trade and investment between the countries. Join us as we bring you live coverage of the events throughout the day. All times NZ local.
What do you think of the deal? Email us at newsdesk@nzherald.co.nz, Tweet us @nzherald or Facebook us.
NOTE: Herald actually blocked my very polite comment on FB and would not let me share any of their posts. So much for free speech. EnvirowatchRangitikei
‘The world is watching this hikoi today’ – iwi gather at Auckland park to protest TPP
The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement has been signed at Sky City in Auckland this morning, amid large protests in the central city. (SEE VIDEOS)
TPPA Signing Protest in Wellington
At midday today over three hundred people gathered in the lee of the Cenotaph in Wellington to protest the signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement.
The predators behind the TPP
Twelve Pacific Rim countries representing around 40 percent of the global economy signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade accord on Thursday. Dutch author Karel van Wolferen examines the corporate ramifications of the divisive deal
BY KAREL VAN WOLFEREN
SPECIAL TO THE JAPAN TIMES
Misnomers that hide what the strong and rich control — and aspire to control — help promote our world’s numerous political ills. “Spreading democracy” in the Middle East and Africa has been used to excuse much slaughter, ruin and higher risks of wider war for purposes not remotely connected with democracy…
Environmental Health Watch NZ 
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