Thousands rally against New Zealand's involvement in TPP trade deal

Thousands of New Zealanders turned out in cities around the country Saturday to urged the government to walk away from the controversial 12-nation Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.

Media reports put the crowd at the biggest rally in Auckland, where the weather was wet and overcast, at 2,000 to 5,000 people.

Opposition politicians and campaigners against the secrecy surrounding the TPP negotiations addressed the crowd in downtown Auckland before they marched on to the U.S. Consulate building.

Large turnouts were also reported outside the parliament in Wellington, and in Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin, while smaller crowds were seen in other provincial towns and cities.

No incidents were reported during the demonstrations.

The protests were given extra publicity on Friday when the U.S. Consulate in Auckland put a notice on its website and reportedly e- mailed Americans in New Zealand, warning them to stay away from the Auckland rally.

"We urge citizens to avoid the protest march route as even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational," said the notice.

Opponents have objected to the secrecy surrounding the TPP talks and claim many of the provisions will undermine New Zealand' s sovereignty and allow transnational corporations undue influence over the country's laws and regulations.

Four days of talks in Hawaii to finalize the deal stalled earlier this month after countries failed to reach agreement, but New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said last week he expected it to be signed by the end of this year. Endi