February 02, 2016
FOMA staying close in TPP debate
The Federation of Maori Authorities says this week’s signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement won't be the end of debate over the 12-country trade pact.
Its chair, Traci Houpapa, says the signing will be followed by 12 months of public consultation during which FOMA will work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry for Primary Industries and other officials to ensure FOMA members can make an informed decision.
She says the TPP promises to provide better export and trade deals than the China free trade agreement with obvious benefits for Maori exporters and business people.
Thursday's signing does not mean it comes into effect immediately.
"It triggers the next stage of the TPP process. FOMA wants to be at the table. We want to make sure that provisions with regard to the treaty are in place and as importantly we want to make sure the voice and influence of FOMA members is sitting alongside government in this process," Ms Houpapa says.
New Zealand is the only one of the 12 countries in the TPP to recognise the interests of indigenous peoples by enshrining Te Tiriti O Waitangi and exempting the WAI262 fauna and flora and intellectual property rights claim from the terms of the pact.
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