October 06, 2015
TPP reflection of colonising view
A leading critic of the Trans Pacific Partnership says the giant 12-country trade deal signed early this morning is an attack on democracy and Maori rights.
Trade ministers from 12 countries signed the agreement early this morning after a marathon five-day negotiating session.
Prime Minister John Key says it gives exporters much better access to a market of more than 800 million customers in 11 countries across Asia and the Pacific, and represents New Zealand's first free trade relationship with the United States and Japan.
But opposition parties say New Zealand failed to make the significant progress he was promising for the dairy sector, and other countries bowed to United States pressure for more protection for its pharmaceutical industry.
Mana Party vice-president Annette Sykes says there has been no consultation with Maori and no consideration of Maori rights and interests.
"The colonising view that took our country in 1840 is the same view that prevails in the hearts and minds of those capitalist interests who make money. They don't believe that we as Maori are worthy of that (consultation) process. There is still this notion there are superior thinkers to Maori thinkers over their own taonga," she says.
Annette Sykes says the TPP will make all New Zealanders powerless in their own country against the demands of multinational corporate giants, so the pressure needs to go on politicians to stop them ratifying the deal.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ANNETTE SYKES CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MzQwOTA=
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