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Waitangi Tribunal heads into week of TPP hearings

Author
Hannah Bartlett,
Publish Date
Mon, 14 Mar 2016, 8:03AM
A TPP Protest at the Katikati War Memorial Hall. Photo / NZ Herald
A TPP Protest at the Katikati War Memorial Hall. Photo / NZ Herald

Waitangi Tribunal heads into week of TPP hearings

Author
Hannah Bartlett,
Publish Date
Mon, 14 Mar 2016, 8:03AM

The Waitangi Tribunal is holding an urgent hearing this week into claims relating to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

It is based on concerns the trade agreement is inconsistent with Crown obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.

University of Auckland Professor Jane Kelsey said it will hear evidence on whether the Government's adequately protected Treaty of Waitangi obligations around natural resources, indigenous knowledge and the environment.

She said legal experts will give evidence on whether the protection for Treaty obligations "is as robust as the Government claims it is".

Kelsey said the intention of the hearing is to report back to the select committee before the TPP is ratified by Parliament.

"There are of course separations that need to occur between the quasi-judicial process at the Tribunal and the Parliamentary process. But I know that a number of the claimants are hoping that the information will be out in the public domain before the Select Committee report."

A series of public roadshows and information evenings are also underway around the country.

The TPP has come under fire on the US election campaign trail, with Republican forerunner Donald Trump calling it a "horrible" trade agreement.

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