Cr Matt Cowley said the council should have a say. He had issues with the procurement limitations that might arise from the treaty and how it could creep down to local government.
"I am not against the benefits of trade but we should not be doing it at the expense of future generations."
Cr Steve Morris argued against the move.
The Action Network's full statement supported by the Council was to encourage the Government to conclude negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in a way that provides net positive benefits for Tauranga and New Zealand and achieves the following objectives;
1. Continues to allow Tauranga City Council and other councils, if they so choose, to adopt procurement policies that provide for a degree of local preference; to choose whether particular services or facilities are provided in house, by council-controlled organisations (CCOs) or by contracting out; or to require higher health and safety, environmental protection, employment rights and conditions, community participation, animal protection or human rights standards than national or international minimum standards.
2. Maintains good diplomatic and trade relations and partnerships for Tauranga and New Zealand with other major trading partners not included in the agreement, including with China.
3. Provides substantially increased access for our agriculture exports to those markets.
4. Does not undermine PHARMAC, raise the cost of medical treatments and medicines or threaten public health measures, such as tobacco control.
5. Does not give overseas investors or suppliers any greater rights than domestic investors and suppliers, such as through introducing Investor State Dispute Settlement, or reduce our ability to control overseas investment or finance.
6. Does not expand intellectual property rights and enforcement in excess of current law.
7. Does not weaken our public services, require privatisation, hinder reversal of privatisations, or increase the commercialisation of government or of Tauranga City Council or other local government organisations.
8. Does not reduce our flexibility to support local economic and industry development and encourage good employment and environmental practices and local initiatives.
9. Contains enforceable labour clauses requiring adherence to core International Labour Organisation conventions and preventing reduction of labour rights for trade or investment advantage.
10. Contains enforceable environmental clauses preventing reduction of environmental and biosecurity standards for trade or investment advantage.
11. Has general exceptions to protect human rights, the environment, the Treaty of Waitangi, and New Zealand's economic and financial stability.
12. Has been negotiated taking into account a full social, environmental and economic impact assessment.
