TPPA protest walk brings 200 to town

March organiser Martin Stewart (centre) rallies together people concerned at the TPPA. Photo / Andrew Warner

An issue some say could have massive ramifications for New Zealand was the subject of a 200-strong protest rally calling for greater awareness in Tauranga.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) involves 11 Asian and Pacific-Rim countries, including the United States.

Prime Minister John Key said last week New Zealand could sign into the agreement by the end of the year.

However, there is increasing concern that if the TPPA goes ahead New Zealand's economy, environment and health could be damaged if it gets involved.

In Tauranga on Saturday, Martin Stewart helped organise the protest rally to illustrate local concern and educate people about what the TPPA could mean for them.

"It's not about being angry and waving signs or flags around or being spiteful.

"It's about happily and positively projecting a message that we have this situation which is really bad. We want to do something about it," he said.

About 200 people had joined the march by the end.

People began walking from the Tauranga Farmer's Market in Cameron Rd and went through the central city to Edgewater Fan on The Strand.

"I think we had a good crowd all the way through from the protest down through to the actual event itself.

"It didn't seem such a walk with so many people. I was very happy we had some people come up for us from as far as Tokoroa. We had some people doing cheerleading, things like that."

Mr Stewart said there was little faith the TPPA was going to be beneficial to New Zealand because it had been shrouded in secrecy except for some details believed to have been leaked.

"If it's going to be harmless, then tell us. If it's not going to be harmless, tell us," Mr Stewart said.

"If the leaks are as factual as they are perceived to be, then we need to know."

Mr Stewart said the TPPA would hand over exceptional power to large corporations such as Chevron, which could become "judge and jury" if New Zealand ever wanted to hold them to account for something such as an oil spill.