Media Release

4 February 2016

Kiwis reject the TPPA

Around 15,000 Kiwis marched down Queen Street today to protest against the signing of the TPPA. The march was loud, diverse, family-friendly, peaceful and passionate in its opposition to the TPPA.

The march was organised by It’s Our Future – Kiwis against the TPPA. Its spokesperson, Barry Coates said: “It was a huge march and we were thrilled that so many Kiwis came out, especially since it is a weekday, during a bus strike, and after government scare-mongering about law and order.”

The marchers today weren’t a small segment of New Zealand society. They are a majority – public opinion polling says that most Kiwis oppose the TPPA.

John Key’s arrogant dismissal of protesters as confused and misguided shows how out of touch he is with widespread concerns over the TPPA.

“The problem for the Key government isn’t that members of the public don’t understand the TPPA; it’s that they do, and they don’t want it. Kiwis reject opening ourselves up to being sued by litigious foreign corporations, allowing them to challenge laws that are in the public interest” commented Barry Coates.

The march heard that the signing is largely symbolic and it is likely to be years until the TPPA is ratified and comes into force.

“The TPPA is likely to be a crucial issue for the next election. The campaign doesn’t stop with this signing – it kicks up to a new level of activity and commitment. We are determined that New Zealand should not give up our sovereignty and should not give new rights to foreign corporations. We are committed to defeat the TPPA” concluded Coates.

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