The Trans Pacific Partnership agreement is the biggest threat to consumer rights New Zealand has ever seen” says Debbie Swanwick, Spokesperson, Soil & Health – Organic NZ.
Her comments come following the closure of the 15th round of TPPA negotiations at Sky City, Auckland recently.
Over a hundred and fifty protestors gathered at Sky City during the negotiations, to present a petition signed by 750,000 world citizens against the TPPA which organisers refused to accept. One of the implications of the TPPA, with regard to food, is that consumers will be denied the right to know what is in their food.  “Current labelling laws will be revoked for fear of prosecution by investor interests should a label, for example identifying ingredients as genetically engineered, negatively impact their profits” says Swanwick.
Protests throughout the country have demonstrated the level of public discontent on the issue which has also attracted comment from public representatives, in agreement, in local council.
“We recently elected a new Auckland Council that wants to build resilient communities across the region, support local business and retain our public assets. I believe a TPPA would pose a barrier to those three laudable roles and give foreign investors too much power in New Zealand’ said Auckland Councillor Cathy Casey of the TPPA.
A poll conducted by Consumer Link in mid November expressed public concern around the lack of transparency around the TPPA. Sixty five percent of New Zealanders think the Government should make the contents of the agreement public before the negotiations are completed.
“The lack of public consultation and a lack of response despite repeated calls for the release of draft documents is undemocratic and does not deliver on a governance mandate to serve the interests of the public.  A leaked draft of the legislation affords powers to investors over consumers.  As it currently stands, precursor legislation currently affords investors 88% of all claims against governments, which is paid by the taxpayer. Placing profits before people has never been acceptable behaviour” says Swanwick.
Soil & Health is one of the oldest organic organisations in the world and promote fresh, healthy, organic food – GE, pesticide and additive free and advocate for consumers rights. Oranga Nuku, Oranga Kai Oranga Tangata.

Bailey Peryman from Soil & Health – Organic NZ (Canterbury), is one of eleven recipients of the 2103 Vodafone world of Difference Programme.
This award, which focuses on youth development and an earthquake recovery need, funds his salary and expenses for a year. Peryman will coordinate the setup of Hand Over a Hundy in Christchurch East and develop a new social enterprise, Garden City 2.0

Hand Over a Handy is a pay it forward initiative to encourage families and communities to establish edible gardens at home.  Young families and unemployed youth are given $100 worth of growing material and a mentor for a year. The challenge is for them to recoup the $100 through sales of produce or savings on their food bill to pass on to another family the year following.

Garden City 2.0 will bring new life to the Garden City by developing and investing in community food initiatives.

“We will also be looking to partner with experts in the food and agricultural industry to develop a wider framework for young people to find work, start a food initiative of their own and create a livelihood for themselves and their families. We see this being the foundation for a local food industry that is waiting to be borne in Christchurch” says Peryman.

“Mother Nature devasted NZ’s Garden city.  Vodafone’s support of this project literally will be planting the seeds to help her give back to Christchurch that which was taken” says Debbie Swanwick, Spokesperson, Soil & Health – Organic NZ.

Vodafone New Zealand Foundation Chair Antony Welton says the World of Difference is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of young New Zealanders.

Started in 2002,  the Foundation has now invested over $15 million and supported 69 New Zealanders, with flow on effects to hundreds of young people across the country.

Soil & Health is one of the oldest organic organisations in the world and promote fresh, healthy, organic food – GE, pesticide and additive free. Oranga Nuku, Oranga Kai Oranga Tangata.