Wellington Archives - It's Our Future

Rally For Democracy – Wellington

Posted by Sunil Williams | Sep 10, 2016 |

Rally for Democracy – Town Square Meeting and Concert A great line up of Music and Speakers. We are joining the dots between the issues – they require a system wide view. The issues and the connections. What values do we as a nation stand for? It’s not just TPP, its housing, inequality and fairness in society, health and wellbeing, te tiriti, clean water, local governance and democracy, climate change, oil drilling and fracking, toxic pollution, economic innovation and freedom, ethical investments, elimination of corruption, big brother and more power to the spies vs Open Government, public good vs...

Stop-TPP Movement renews call for Binding Referendum

Posted by Scoop | May 2, 2016 | New Zealand, News |

Press Release – TPP Free Wellington TPP-Free-Wellington will mark the Select Committees reporting day with a Binding Referendum Rally at Parliament.Stop-TPP Movement renews call for Binding Referendum TPP-Free-Wellington will mark the Select Committee’s reporting day with a “Binding Referendum Rally” at Parliament. The 4th of May is the expected “tabling” of the Select Committee’s Report on TPP in Parliament. The nation-wide “It’s Our Future” movement (which includes the local Wellington group) told the Select Committee that, “any decision to proceed with the ratification process must include a binding referendum”. Barry Coates, one of the movement’s leaders, emphasizes, “There is concern over the TPP from a majority of the public across New Zealand, according to public opinion polls (TV3/Reid Research, November 2015).” TPP-Free-Wellington calls for supporters to rally this Wednesday 4 May, at 12 noon at Parliament, to support this call for a binding referendum. “We’ll find out that day whether the Select Committee has been listening to the public’s views which overwhelmingly oppose TPP”, says Ariana Paretutanganui-Tamati from the local group. “We want to mark this occasion with a rally for democracy.” “We’re calling for a binding referendum because TPP would significantly undermine our elected representatives’ ability and freedom to work for us, only to give more power to foreign “investors” to secure their “property” and profits, and to offshore tribunals to enforce the new regime.” “Of course our...

The TPPA is a wonderful opportunity

Posted by Scoop | Apr 14, 2016 | New Zealand, News |

Press Release – Wellington Chamber Of Commerce The TPPA is a wonderful opportunity for regional businesses of all types to grow and contribute to economic growth and employment, organisations representing businesses told a parliamentary select committee today.Wellington Chamber of Commerce Media Statement Thursday 14th April 2016 TPPA wonderful opportunity for regions, says business The TPPA is a wonderful opportunity for regional businesses of all types to grow and contribute to economic growth and employment, organisations representing businesses told a parliamentary select committee today. John Milford, Chief Executive of Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Business Central, and a Board member of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Inc, said business communities encouraged developments which sought to improve and maximise the business environment for New Zealanders. “To this end, the Trans-Pacific-Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is a development our organisation supports. “Much like existing trade agreements, it will provide the framework for businesses to increase their competitiveness in international markets, this time focusing on the whole Asia-Pacific region. “Kiwi businesses are opportunists, and the way they see it the TPP will ease existing barriers, open new doors for collaboration, ultimately improving successes and confidence. “If wholly implemented, it will give Kiwi businesses improved access to international markets and a better regulatory playing field to encourage collaborative trading relationships.” Mr Milford told the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee that the impacts of...

Public to have their say on TPPA in three main centres

Posted by Scoop | Mar 24, 2016 | New Zealand, News |

Press Release – Office of the Clerk Public to have their say on TPPA in three main centres The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee are hearing public submissions on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) and the four TPPA related intellectual property treaties in Christchurch, …Public to have their say on TPPA in three main centres The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee are hearing public submissions on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) and the four TPPA related intellectual property treaties in Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington. Christchurch When: Thursday 31 March and Friday 1 April Where: Christchurch City Council’s chambers at 53 Hereford Street. Auckland When: Thursday 7 and Friday 8 April Where: Holiday Inn, 2 Ascot Road, Mangere. Wellington When: Thursday 14, Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20, Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 April Where: Select committee meeting rooms, Parliament House Who the committee will hear from Over 330 people wanted to give their submission to the committee in person. People from other parts of New Zealand who can’t make it to these locations will be heard by teleconference from Wellington. The committee’s report When the committee has heard all public submissions and finished its consideration of the TPPA and associated treaties, it will report back to the House of Representatives. The report is expected to be presented to the House in May 2016. ENDS Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz Original...

Urgent inquiry into issues relating to the TPPA

Posted by Scoop | Mar 7, 2016 | News |

Press Release – Waitangi Tribunal The Waitangi Tribunal will convene an urgent hearing into claims relating to the Trans- Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) from 14 to 18 March 2016 at the Waitangi Tribunal Offices in Wellington.Waitangi Tribunal urgent inquiry into issues relating to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement The Waitangi Tribunal will convene an urgent hearing into claims relating to the Trans- Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) from 14 to 18 March 2016 at the Waitangi Tribunal Offices in Wellington. In December 2015, the Tribunal confirmed that the issues for urgent inquiry are; whether or not the provisions in the TPPA relating to the Treaty of Waitangi provide effective protection of Maori interests, and what Maori engagement and input is now required for the ratification of the TPPA to be compliant with the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. The Tribunal will hear from the claimants and the Crown including the evidence of three expert witnesses commissioned by the claimants, the Crown and the Tribunal respectively. The inquiry is presided over by Judge Michael Doogan and the Tribunal Panel consists of Emeritus Professor Sir Tamati Reedy, the Honourable Sir Douglas Kidd, David Cochrane and Tania Simpson. ENDS Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz Original...