The Labour Party says a wider cross-section of society should be consulted about trade deals as they are being negotiated, to ensure the interests of all New Zealanders are accounted for.
Labour says secrecy surrounding the nine-country TransPacific Partnership (TPP), which includes New Zealand and the United States, needs to be addressed.
MP Maryan Street says unions, business groups, academics and non-governmental organisations should be privy to ongoing developments in trade talks.
She says the TPP, which is due to be completed this year, needs more scrutiny as it is one of the most far-reaching deals ever attempted by New Zealand.
