News

Thousands of New Zealanders in 17 towns and cities marched in opposition to the TPPA on Saturday 8 November 2015. The UNI Finance affiliate FIRST UNION was the organising centre for the protests which were sponsored by the ITUC affiliated NZ Council of Trade Unions and a number of UNI affiliates.The march was co-organized with the larger Coalition called "Its Our Future” (http://www.itsourfuture.org.nz/ ). Over 3,000 marched down Queens Street in Auckland and over 1,000 in Wellington (below) and Christchurch.The protests were the biggest ever in New Zealand against the TPPA.

UNI Finance would like to express its solidarity with First Union and all the other unions involved and congratulates all of them for their commitment and activism in the name of people's freedom and democracy. No trade agreement should ever be signed without the consultation of the people whose life could be impacted by such an agreement as it could jeopardize public health and public services, the environment and a sound regulatory framework for financial stability and income distribution. The governments and the people who elect these governments should be the one who can decide about the future, not a handful of powerful multinationals driven by short-term profits and interests.

The #TPPANoWay hashtag was trending No 1 in New Zealand and No 2 worldwide. And none of this would have been possible without the untiring analysis, activism and advocacy of our very own Professor Jane Kelsey:

- Read one of her latest blogs at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/11/06/yes-it-really-does-matter-that-you-...

- Watch this little clip on the TPPA from a NZ perspective:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt9gygs3qfA

- A good round-up of the activities is also available on TVOne news:  http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/thousands-rally-against-trade-agreement-...