Friday 14 August

Nationwide protests tomorrow say 'TPPA – Walk Away!' Government must listen

As the window on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations closes more tightly, thousands of New Zealanders in twenty-one towns and cities throughout the country are expected to brave the rain to send a message to the National government: ‘TPPA – Walk Away!’, according to It’s Our Future spokesperson Edward Miller.

“After five years of denying that the TPPA would mean higher medicines and act as a bill of rights for foreign investors, the Prime Minister is now starting to change his tune. At the same time the holy grail of a bonanza for the dairy has not transpired”, said Edward Miller.

“These and other trade-offs on our sovereignty continue to be made under a shroud of secrecy. As we have asked many times, ‘what is the government so determined to hide?',” said Miller.

“People are fed up with being insulted by Trade Minister Groser. We want to live in a genuine democracy that puts people, not foreign investors and multinational corporations, first. We want the right to decide our own futures, as befits a modern democracy, and to be able to deliver on the Treaty of Waitangi. And we expect our elected government to listen.”

People will be gathering at the following places tomorrow, rain or shine:

Kaitaia

15 August, gather at Memorial Park at 9.30am to create/share placards, then walk through market and main street.

Hokianga

15 August protest, 11am at Kohukohu Village Green.

Whangarei

15 August protest, 11am at the Tarewa Park.

Auckland

15 August protest, 1pm at Aotea Square to march down Queen Street, featuring speakers and music.

Hamilton

15 August protest, Meet @ 1pm outside Cock and Bull carpark on corner of Church and Maui.

Colville

15 August protest, 2pm outside the Colville Community Hall.

Tauranga

15 August protest at 10.30am, Red Square.

Whakatane

15 August protest, 11am at the corner of King and Stewart Streets.

Opotiki

15 August protest, 10am at Opotiki rose garden.

Napier/Hastings

15 August protest, 1pm at Memorial Square.

New Plymouth

15 August protest, 1pm at Puke Ariki.

Otaki

15 August Hikoi, 11am at Tuu Roa Kohanga Reo (Te Rauparaha St).

Featherston

15 August Rally, 11am outside the Royal Hotel on Fitzherbert St.

Wellington

15 August protest, 1pm at Midland Park and march to Parliament.

Golden Bay

15 August protest, 12pm at Golden Bay Village Green.

Nelson

15 August protest at 11:00am, top of Trafalgar St – 1903 Square.

Christchurch

15 August protest, 12:30pm at South Hagley Park (corner Deans Ave and Riccarton Rd) marching down Riccarton Rd.

Little River

15 August rally, 12pm at Little River Craft Station.

Timaru

15 August protest, 11am at Bay Piazza.

Dunedin

15 August protest at 1pm, marching from the Dental School to the Octagon.

Invercargill

15 August protest, 12pm at Wachner Place.

-Ends

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