The Hon Tariana Turia
Maori Party Co-Leader | MP for Te Tai Hauauru
Sunday 26 February 2012

Turia outraged at NZ involvement in TPPA event sponsored by Phillip Morris

Tariana Turia, Co-Leader of the Maori Party, is outraged that Mike Moore, New Zealand Ambassador to the United States of America participated in a Trans Pacific Partnership (TPPA) trade event sponsored by Phillip Morris, a large international tobacco company.

"I am disturbed that our Ambassador to the United States of America would participate in an event discussing our foreign trade policy, where the major corporate sponsors are those whose interests lie in selling harmful and deadly products to New Zealanders," said Mrs Turia.

"This should not have happened. We lose faith in our ambassadors, and indeed trust in those who are supposed to be representing New Zealand's interests overseas."

Mrs Turia said "Cigarette smoking kills 5000 New Zealanders a year. I am outraged that our ambassadors are hosting representatives from companies that allegedly produce products that kill."

"I cannot believe that we allow such an addictive substance to continue to be sold," said Mrs Turia.

"As a country, we have a moral and ethical duty to eradicate cigarette smoking, and our trade interests should align with our social development goals."

"We have set a goal of having a smoke free Aotearoa by the year 2025. We need to commit to that goal, and our foreign representatives should be promoting this wonderful vision for New Zealand," said Mrs Turia.

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