Raglan residents' unique TPP protest - #ChainBomb

A video uploaded to Facebook shows dozens jumping into a waterway from a local footbridge, one after the other in what is described as a "chain bomb". Photo / Facebook

The residents of Raglan have chosen a unique way to add their voice to far-reaching discord against the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.

A video uploaded to Facebook shows dozens jumping into a waterway from a local footbridge, one after the other in what is described as a "chain bomb".

"The folks from Raglan, NZ organised a #ChainBomb as their way of protesting against the TPPA. As you can see they had an amazing turnout. Actions speak louder than words!!," the person posting the video wrote.

Those taking part were greeted with whoops and cheers as they plummeted several metres into the water.

As of 1pm today, the footage had been viewed more than 20,000 times, had almost a thousand likes and had been shared 220 times. More than 100 comments had been posted.

Raglan woman Wakerori Rooney-Ranga was one of those who organised the protest, in which more than 200 children and adults took part, some of whom had moved away from the Waikato surf town but returned for yesterday's event.

"We thought 'what can we do for the kids?' Because a lot of them don't like the TPPA, and so we thought 'let's do something they will turn up for'."

Asked if jumping off a wharf would make a difference, she said it would to those involved.

"The kids are going to look at it differently [and think] 'I can do something about it'. When they grow up they can say 'we tried'. If they can't stop it, they can a least say 'we tried'."

The protest was arranged for high tide, and Coastguard, surf lifesavers, St John ambulance and police were at the scene as observers, Mrs Rooney-Ranga said.

There has been widespread protest around the country ahead of the free trade deal's planned signing at the SkyCity Convention Centre on Thursday.