Talk away at TPP info event

CONTROVERSIAL: The Trans Pacific Partnership will be up for debate on Sunday.

One of New Zealand's most outspoken opponents of the Trans Pacific Partnership will join local MPs in Rotorua to talk about what they know about the controversial trade deal.

The information event will feature Professor Jane Kelsey (via video feed), Dr Benjamin Pittman, Edward Miller, Catherine Delahunty, Marama Davidson, Annette Sykes, Anjum Rahman and will be hosted by Tihini Grant.

Maori Party co-leader and MP for Waiariki Te Ururoa Flavell will also be on the panel with New Zealand First list MP based in Rotorua Fletcher Tabuteau.

Event spokeswoman Marama Meikle said there was huge concern about how the deal could impact on New Zealanders and their futures.

Miss Meikle said invites were also sent to National Party MP for Rotorua Todd McClay and Minister of Trade Tim Groser, but both were unavailable.

Invites were also sent to Labour and Act party MPs.

"We were very lucky with the calibre of the people who are coming along.

"We want to keep it positive and talk about what we know about the agreement," she said.

"I support trade, but trade that works in the best interests of all involved and not the interests of a select few. The important thing to note here is the TPP is corporate driven."

The Rotorua event follows on from a national week of TPP action in August, led by It's our Future, where 23 cities across New Zealand took part in various forms of action against the TPP.

Rotorua's TPP Talk Away event will be live-streamed so all New Zealanders will have the opportunity to learn from the knowledge shared.

"We will still have to wait a few more weeks yet until a public version of the TPP text is released," Miss Meikle said.

"Now is the time to take action, we must demand our rights," she said.

- For more information email tppa.rotorua@gmail.com.