A Dunedin activist has been visited by police officers, asking questions about any plans to protest against the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.
Scout Barbour-Evans Photo: Facebook
Scout Barbour-Evans said the police officers said they were following a national directive to visit all known activists.
"They asked me what is happening at the Saturday rally and I just told them that the events will be peaceful, they are non-violent and we don't want any drama with them.
"I asked them how they got my address because they shouldn't have been able to get my address. they told me they got it through the University but I don't go to uni, I'm at polytech."
Activists had not seen this behaviour from the police since the 1981 Springboks tour, the activist said.
"This hasn't happened in a long time, it's really obvious that things like police surveillance are starting to step up, things like police trying to intimidate is starting to step up.
"It's really concerning, there's recent reports New Zealand is becoming a more corrupt country in the world and this is a big concern for that."
Superintendent Chris Scahill said the police were responsible for security for the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in Auckland next month.
Police would not discuss operational details but were planning for every eventuality, he said.
