US warns nationals away from New Zealand anti-TPP demonstration

United States diplomats in New Zealand have warned U.S. nationals to avoid going near a march in Auckland to protest against the controversial 12-nation Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal on Saturday.

The U.S. Consulate in Auckland put a notice on its website and reportedly e-mailed U.S. nationals in New Zealand on Friday that New Zealand police expected about 8,000 people would attend the march in central Auckland at 1 p.m. local time.

"We urge citizens to avoid the protest march route as even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational. We remind citizens to always exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations," said the notice on the website.

"The Department of State remains concerned about the threat of violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance, to be aware of their surroundings and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness."

The Auckland march is expected to be the biggest of a series of protests against the TPP scheduled for many of New Zealand's main centers on Saturday.

Trade spokesperson for the opposition Green Party, Russel Norman, told Radio New Zealand that he would be joining the protests, and U.S. citizens had nothing to fear.

"I'd just say to the U.S. Embassy, Auckland isn't Ferguson and the police won't be shooting people," Norman said.

"It'll be a peaceful demonstration, they should just relax and maybe they should come along -- they might learn something."

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 Prime Minister John Key said last week he expected it to be signed by the end of this year.