Aotearoa Workers Solidarity Movement (AWSM): Anti-TPPA Hikoi in Rotorua

Over a dozen governments in the Asia-Pacific region have been secretly working on a trade 
agreement called the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). They have finally 
released the nearly 6,000 page document detailing its contents and are likely to seal the 
deal soon. So we should just accept it is over and done with and move on to something 
else? No doubt the government here and in the other countries would like that, but 
thousands in this country organised in continued opposition to the TPPA on Saturday, 
November 14th. ---- In Rotorua approximately 80-90 rallied against the TPPA. As in 
previous rallies, a wide range of people were represented, including political groups, 
indigenous activists and families concerned for their children and future generations. A 
noisy hikoi took place through the CBD, unaccompanied by any police presence, thus 
allowing participants to control the route and pacing of the action. Chanting kept spirits 
high throughout the duration of the march and leaflets were handed out to curious 
bystanders, some of whom joined the marchers.

When the hikoi returned to the initial rallying point, the crowd listened to a number of 
speakers and were then treated to live bands.

There were some definite positives to the day in Rotorua. Firstly, it was encouraging that 
so many people continue to see the value in opposing the TPPA at this late stage. Often 
political campaigns begin to suffer fatigue or a feeling of hopelessness, but clearly 
there is still plenty of disquiet about this particular deal. It was also good that 
despite the presence of at least one MP and other wannabe politicians, the main focus was 
upon ordinary people having the opportunity to share korero and build links with each other.

On the downside, the general tone of the opposition to the TPPA was couched in populist 
and nationalist terms. There was a lot of talk of preserving the land for 'kiwis not 
foreign corporations', the need to keep company profits in 'our country' not send them 
offshore and appeals to 'our government' etc. This kind of rhetoric is why those with a 
truly transnational anti-capitalist perspective should intervene in such rallies. By 
joining in we can offer a different view. There is no 'national sovereignty' in a world 
where bosses exploit workers regardless of nationality. The only solution is to cross 
artificial boundaries and for working people here and everywhere else affected by the TPPA 
to join together against the same universal ruling class. Hopefully in time our view will 
gain ground if we keep talking to and organising with others at the flaxroots level.

http://www.awsm.nz/2015/11/23/anti-tppa-hikoi-in-rotorua/