NZ US CouncilFriday 05 October 2012, 2:56PM
Media release from NZ US Council
The majority of Kiwis support the idea of a Trans Pacific
Partnership (TPP), new research has found.
Research commissioned by the NZUS Council has found that 56.3 per
cent of New Zealanders surveyed support or strongly support the
TPP. 13.4 per cent oppose the negotiation, with 30.4 per cent
keeping an open mind.
"The research is an important contribution to the debate around
free trade. It shows New Zealanders are prepared to see where the
TPP negotiation leads rather than give into scaremongering," said
NZ US Council Executive Director, Stephen Jacobi.
The research found that 60.5 per cent believe New Zealand needs to
do more to connect with global markets, with just 9.4 per cent
opposing such moves.
"In the lead up to the TPP negotiation round in Auckland in
December, Kiwis are quite rightly thinking about the way New
Zealand trades with the world," said Mr Jacobi.
"As a small South Pacific economy, New Zealand needs revenue and
investment from global markets to provide growth and jobs and
funding for health and education.
When prompted, 48.4 per cent of respondents knew about TPP with
another 59.3 per cent wanting to know more about TPP and free
trade.
The research also found that a majority of Kiwis (64.4 per cent)
believe increased trade between New Zealand and the United States
is a good idea. Only 12.1 per cent are opposed to it.
"Freer trade will create more opportunities for exporters and more
choice for consumers, and ultimately more jobs for Kiwis. The TPP
provides an opportunity to maximise these benefits. TPP is a work
in progress but it's an important first step towards to adopting a
seamless economic space around the Asia Pacific region," said Mr
Jacobi.
"Public debate around TPP issues is a welcome and indeed necessary
part of this process.
"High quality and forward-looking agreements like TPP are necessary
for business to play its part in building a stronger and more
resilient global economy on which New Zealand's economic livelihood
relies."
The research was conducted by Buzz Research between 18-21 September
2012 with 1018 respondents aged 18 - 64 in New Zealand. It has a
margin of error of +/- 3.1.