Editorial: Flag info outshines the TPP's

THE TRANS-PACIFIC Partnership is arguably the biggest trade agreement the world has seen, creating a massive economic block.

In New Zealand, it will be considered by a parliamentary select committee, and the deadline for Kiwis to make submissions on this weighty tome is tomorrow - Friday, March 11.

The TPP is complex and controversial, and 30 jargon-filled chapters long.

Surprisingly, there has been little apparent effort to explain the ramifications of this deal to the public, something one would have thought was a requirement of government when addressing a legally binding document that could have a significant impact on life in New Zealand.

It was negotiated in secret, so no explanations were forthcoming there. And, though it was signed in Auckland on February 4, there has been little concrete information since - merely those who think it is good saying it's good; and those who think it is bad giving their view.

So how are the general public - who might struggle to make head or tail of much of the agreement - supposed to make informed submissions?

Well, on Monday, Trade Minister Todd McClay started a series of 16 roadshows to tell the people what it is all about, and answer questions and concerns. That's four days before submissions close, with the second explanatory roadshow in Christchurch tomorrow - deadline day.

The phrase "too little, too late" comes to mind. Whatever happened to public consultation?

Could it be that the Government is not keen to encourage people to make submissions?

Compare this to that other issue dividing the nation - the flag debate.

Forget roadshows - here we have the full bells and whistles, in-your-face advertising campaign, celebrity endorsements and the like. It could almost be a smokescreen.

Is the flag issue that much more important than the TPP? Long-term, I very much doubt it.

-Back in February I wrote an editorial about the very worthy Six-Word Memoirs project run by Kelly Scarrow which invited people to tell their story in just six words.

I carped on about it being a women-only enterprise and - oh dear - I was wrong. Contributions from male and female were welcome. So my apologies to Ms Scarrow - and any others feeling miffed. "It is true - everyone makes mistakes."