Protesters flag TPPA threat to sovereignty

ANTI-SECRECY: Over 100 anti-TPPA campaigners marched into Majestic Square.

More than 100 people marched through Wanganui on Saturday as part of a nationwide rally opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

Locals joined people from 23 cities and towns across New Zealand, starting from the silver ball by the Whanganui River and marching to Majestic Square.

There they were addressed by Dr Nelson Lebo, who spoke on democracy and surfing; Tony Mudgeway from First Union; environmentalist Mairijay McIntyre; and roaming anti-TPPA activist Greg Fullmoon.

The motivation behind the national day of action were concerns that the New Zealand Government's secret negotiations would damage democracy and sovereignty.

Wanganui protest spokeswoman Denise Lockett said: "The cloak of secrecy remains tied tight - not even most in Parliament have access to the TPPA's content.

"In Europe there is a sister pact being negotiated, the TTIP, again in secrecy. But the European Ombudsman has ruled the contents have to be released to the people as it's their democratic right to know."

She believed the agreement was not all about a trade deal.

"Of the 29 chapters, only five deal with trade matters. The remainder appear to be demands from multinational corporations for governments involved to deregulate health, financial safeguards, safety, employment, environmental safeguards, intellectual property, and democratic legislation."