Dear Minister of Trade,

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is being negotiated in a manner that lacks even the most basic transparency requirements. Citizens of New Zealand, myself included, are concerned that this secrecy represents at best a New Zealand government passively unconcerned with our best interests, and at worst betrays a capitulation to desperately waning economic imperialism of the United States.

The little information that has been released regarding the TPPA has suggested that it will significantly degrade the liberties of New Zealand citizens. It is known that, under the agreement, foreign corporations will have course to challenge our government and our law if they feel it restricts their ability to profit from business here. Such a state of affairs would have staggering social consequences, including loss of confidence in a government that works more for foreign business interests than its own citizens.

Even if this were the ONLY point of concern regarding the TPPA (and it is not, for other frightening consequences around spying/privacy, internet freedom, & intellectual property rights abound, just to name a few), it would still MANDATE the public release of the draft text.

The New Zealand public has a right to know how their rights at home and abroad are being affected by the clandestine acts of their government. We have a right to participate in our own democracy, to appeal our government over whether or not we consent to the TPPA. Before this vital stage of inclusive participation can happen, however, the draft text MUST be publicly released.

Other nations have released the draft text (c.f. Malaysia) - there is no reason why New Zealand should not follow suit.

Yours faithfully,

Christopher Holdaway
BA(Hons), MA(Hons) Auckland