Kiwis still to be convinced on TPPA

Kiwis still to be convinced on TPPA

The Government has some work to do to convince voters of the merits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

A clear majority of voters in the latest 3 News Reid Research poll have rejected the controversial trade pact, due to be signed early next year.

Prime Minister John Key has admitted he hasn't done enough to explain to New Zealanders the benefits of the deal.

Leaders from the 12 TPPA countries had a special meeting at APEC to congratulate themselves on getting the deal done.  

But just before it got underway, US President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull were caught out talking about John Key. It started with a joke about Mr Turnbull taking time to meet Mr Key.  

"So you actually, er, you actually talk to the New Zealanders?" said Mr Obama.

"I do, look, John is a real role-model," said Mr Turnbull.

"Nah, he's a wonderful guy. And he and I have become good friends. And not just because we play golf together," Mr Obama replied. 

While Key is getting praise on the world stage, back at home voters do not have praise for the TPPA. 

In the 3 News poll we asked, 'do you support the TPPA?'. The majority - 52 percent - said no, we don't support it.  Only 34 percent said yes, and the rest didn't know.  

Even when it came to National voters, almost a quarter - 23 percent - say they don't want the agreement, while the vast majority of Labour supporters - 73 percent - are against it.

Add in 84 percent of Green voters and 87 percent of New Zealand First voters, and the opposition is united against the deal.

Mr Key isn't shying away - announcing that trade ministers from around the world will descend on New Zealand next year to formally sign the deal. 

Mr Key continues to make headlines at APEC, after being caught walking through the lobby of his five-star hotel in a dressing gown and bare feet on the way back from the pool.  

So John Key is winning on the world stage but losing the information war back home on the TPPA. It will concern him because he wants to trumpet the deal as one of his big successes, but the public just don't see it that way.

3 News