Two Bombs- Two ProblemsThe actions taken by the New Zealand government and the protest action that was demonstrated by New Zealand society was predominantly targeted at two contested issues: the arrival of nuclear powered/armed American warships and the French nuclear tests in the pacific.
US WarshipsFor a period of around a decade, between the mid 1970’s and 1980’s, New Zealand would be visited by a number of different US military warships and submarines. However the United States could not predict the level of protest that these ships would witness once they hit New Zealand waters. This was because New Zealand society was strongly anti-nuclear and the United States’ policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons/reactors would stimulate controversy. With the arrival of the USS Truxtun and USS Long Beach in 1976, the New Zealand public would deliver a serious message to the United States. A flotilla of protest boats, over 80, would ‘greet’ the USS Truxtun as it enters the Wellington Harbour in 1976. A petition lead by the protest group Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) would gather a whopping 80,000 signatures in favour of working towards making New Zealand anti-nuclear. Auckland would also some 25,000 women march down Queen Street in 1983, as an act of protest. The CND would also hold various marches and speeches in protest. This overwhelming response from society reflected how it had become a nation wide dilemma that captured headlines.
New Zealand would also witness the visitation of the US submarines: USS Pintado and USS Hado in 1978, instigating further protest action. On the occasions of these visits, as well as the Truxtun and Long Beach, Civil Defence established a public safety headquarters for the duration of the visit. With elections just around the corner the visitation of the USS Texas in 1983, would prove to be an influential factor leading into the elections. After a change in government from National to Labour, New Zealand’s relationship with the United States would seriously be questioned in the following years. A Year after the elections, the US would request permission for the USS Buchanan to enter New Zealand waters in late 1984. The Americans were hopeful that public suspicions of it being nuclear armed, was not going to influence the government’s decision as they believed they had Lange’s agreement. However on the 4th of February 1985 the government would deny their request. Lange later went on to justify their decision: “Whatever the truth of its armaments, its arrival in New Zealand would be seen as a surrender by the government.” This was a serious decision and was not taken lightly by the United States, resulting in further complications for New Zealand. Above: The USS Texas that visited Auckland in 1983 is pictured surrounded by several protest boats. |
Fighting the FrenchWith the French conducting nuclear tests in the atolls at French Polynesia, Greenpeace would send several vessels to the test sites in an act of protest. Greenpeace & CND sent the sailing yacht ‘Vega’ (renamed Greenpeace III) to the Mururoa Atoll as an expression of the anger and dissatisfaction that existed in New Zealand in 1972. Upon arrival, Greenpeace activist David McTaggart was physically beaten by the French Navy and had his ship damaged. The following year, in 1973, New Zealand and Australia would take France to the International Court of Justice. The court ruled in favour of New Zealand and Australia and ordered France to cease testing. France would ignore this ruling, however this would be the end of atmospheric testing as the new President, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, ordered that the tests move underground in 1974.
Above: David McTaggart is pictured in Hospital after being physically beaten by the French navy. Kia Ora, AmericaAbove: The USS Truxtun is swarmed by a flotilla of protest boats upon its arrival into the Wellington Harbour in 1976. |
Key Ideas
New Zealand's anti nuclear movement would be strongly directed at two factors: US Ships and French nuclear testing in the pacific. The arrival of supposedly nuclear powered/armed American ships gave cause for concern for New Zealanders. Ships such as the USS Truxtun (1976) and the USS Texas (1986) would be met with a formidable degree of protest action by New Zealanders, which saw some 80 boats swarm the Truxtun upon arrival. Further protest action would be carried out by the CND as they gathered some 80,000 signatures to petition for New Zealand to become anti nuclear. Moreover, protest action hit Auckland with some 25,000 women marching down Queen Street to further solid their anti nuclear stance in 1983. On the 4th of February 1985, New Zealand would deny America's request for the USS Buchanan to enter New Zealand waters, leading to further consequences for New Zealand's position alongside the US. With the continuation of French nuclear testing in the pacific, CND and Greenpeace would organise various protest vessels to be sent to the test sights- to little success. This would later see Australia and New Zealand take France to the International Court of Justice in 1973. The 70's and 80's were a turbulent time in terms of protest action and foreign relations.
Top of the Page: The USS Pintado that visited New Zealand in 1976. Above it is pictured offshore from Sand Diego on 28th March 1977.
Top of the Page: The USS Pintado that visited New Zealand in 1976. Above it is pictured offshore from Sand Diego on 28th March 1977.