Just after noon yesterday about 50 people were spread across the upper Octagon lawn in protest at the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership.
Several speakers voiced opposition to the trade deal, including Dunedin City councillor Aaron Hawkins and retired physics researcher Bob Lloyd.
Protester Andrew Rudolph said the investor-state dispute settlement aspect of the agreement was worrying, as it would allow other countries to sue New Zealand.
"The big problem is unelected, non-transparent courts which the country can be sued by."
There was a concern overseas companies could take action against New Zealand as it tried to combat climate change, he said.
Organiser Jen Olsen said while the name had changed from the Trans Pacific Partnership, the agreement mostly remained the same.
"We’re about fair trade rather than free trade."
Yesterday was a bit more "low key" than some previous events such as marches, she said.
"This was about getting together and talking about some alternatives."
The deal is expected to be signed in Chile on Thursday.
The protest was one of several around the country yesterday.
