TPPA BULLETIN #71:
TPPA ACTION WEEK!

Scroll to bottom for latest details of TPPA Action Week 8 – 15 August!

TPPA Ministers: Will they or won’t they meet?

After the collapse of the Maui meeting there were many reports that ministers would meet again this month. Now there are reports it may just be too hard. That would make it almost impossible to do the deal before the US electoral season begins. Fingers crossed … but we need to keep the pressure on.

Legal challenge to secrecy

The secrecy of the TPPA is being challenged in the High Court through an urgent request for judicial review of Trade Minister Groser’s refusal to release documents under the Official Information Act. The case is being brought by a number of high profile applicants, including Consumer NZ, Ngati Kahungunu, Greenpeace, and the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, and Professor Jane Kelsey who made the original request. The court will set the timetable for the case on Tuesday. A Give a Little page is being set up for donations. More soon.

Waitangi Tribunal says ‘not yet’

The Waitangi Tribunal sees significant prejudice to Maori, but declined an urgent hearing in the next couple of months. If the deal is done and text is released the Tribunal will hold a hearing on whether the Treaty of Waitangi exception protects Maori, and what Maori engagement is necessary prior to ratification of the TPPA. But if the TPPA is not concluded until after the 2016 United States presidential elections, the Tribunal will hear from parties and likely hold a full hearing without the text. The latter now seems a real possibility.

TPPA Action Week
8-15 August 2015

These details are subject to change and events may be added to this list, so make sure you check in on edwardcrmiller.
Kerikeri
15 August protest, meet outside Kerikeri library at 11am.
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.
Tauranga
8 August, 10 am @ Red Square (Downtown Tauranga) for ‘Chalk n talk’.
9 August, Johns Key’s birthday bash with live music and Cake Signing the giant card.
10 August at lunch time, Banner making in Red Square.
12 August, Nag banner from cambridge rd over bridge.
13 August, signs on the road side
14th August – public meeting
15 August protest at 10.30am, Red Square.

Whakatane
15 August protest at 11am, location TBC.
Napier/Hastings
15 August protest, 1pm at Memorial Square.
Wanganui
8 August protest, 1pm, march from Silver Ball in the market to Majestic Square.
New Plymouth
15 August protest, 1pm at Puke Ariki.
Palmerston North
(Before Action Week) – At 7pm on July 29th Palmerston North City Library is hosting a panel discussion on the TPPA, featuring Assoc Prof Jeff Sluka, Dr Deborak Russell and Dr Shamin Shukur (compere: Assoc Prof Bill Fish).
Art and photo exhibition planned with accompanying information, concert and talks
8 August Rally and concert, 1pm – 3:30pm in the Square in the quadrant opposite The Plaza. Keynote speech from Barry Coates, including Dr Romauld Rudzki, Dr Deborah Russell, Dr Jeff Sluka and Cr Lew Findlay, and local musicians.
14 August will be a concert in the library at 5pm, then documentary maker and investigative journalist Bryan Bruce will speak at 6pm on Poverty, Inequality & the TPPA..
Many committed P North activists will also be heading to Wellington on 15 August.
Wellington
7-13 August – The People Speak #STOPTPPA. NZ Photo exhibition (10am-5pm)
12 August – Lunchtime rally outside Parliament with politicians and speakers.
15 August – TPPA Walk Away! Protest action to stop the TPPA. Assemble at Midland Park and march to Parliament for speakers and music. More details to come.
Golden Bay
14 August protest, 12pm at Golden Bay Village Green.
Nelson
15 August protest at 11:00am, top of Trafalgar St – 1903 Square.
Christchurch
10 August political debate at 6pm, Canterbury Horticultural Society (57 Riccarton Avenue), featuring David Parker, Russell Norman, Fletcher Tabuteau and Marama Fox.
12 August film screening of ‘Inequality for All” by economist Robert Reich, 6pm at The Auricle (35 New Regent Street).
14 August New Economics Seminar and Expo, 7pm at Horticultural Hall.
15 August protest at 12:30pm. Location: 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.