Updated 4:00pm: Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations across the Tasman are being protested for the second day in a row.

Our Trade Minister Tim Groser is among those meeting to cut the free trade agreement with 12 countries, which include Australia, Canada, Chile, and the US.

The deal could be finalised by the end of this year.

But Victoria University of Wellington economist Geoff Bertram agrees with the protestors, and says there're few obvious positives in the agreement, and many negatives.

"It's being done in great secrecy. everything that's been leaked over the last two years about the deal causes one to be very suspicious of it."

Mr Bertram says the secretive deal is labelled as a free trade agreement, but doesn't really fit the definition.

"This is quite different from all the free trade agreements we've signed in the past. This one is protectionist. It's a systematic effort to protect the property rights and the intellectual property of large corporate interests in the United States."

The controversial agreement is looking likely to be wrapped up by the end of the year.

But Mr Bertram says protestors aren't wasting their time.

"To give the Government a little bit more spine when it comes to facing down what is a very strongly held negotiating position from the United States."

Opponents of the TPP are convinced there'll be nothing for New Zealand to celebrate after the latest round of talks.

Trade Minister Tim Groser is continuing his push for a reduction in US tariffs, at a meeting with counterparts in Sydney this weekend.

But Auckland University's professor Jane Kelsey doubts New Zealand will ever get its way.

She sees no benefit in the talks, and thinks it's time the Government thought of better ways to improve New Zealand's international trading position.

Professor Kelsey says the agreement has already taken more than four a half years to negotiate, and it's wrong to throw more taxpayer's money down a dark hole.

TPP protests in Sydney

There have been further protests outside the talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership in Sydney this weekend.

Trade Minister Tim Groser is taking part in the discussions, which are aimed at fleshing out details of the proposed package.

One of the most vocal opponents of the plan is Auckland University professor Jane Kelsey.

She's not surprised at the protests, and says Australians don't want foreign companies to be have the right to sue their government.

"It seems that the new government in Australia may in fact be prepared to conserve that as part of the final deal."