Anti Nuclear LegislationThe government’s denial of a request by the USS Buchanan to enter New Zealand waters in early 1985, would see them suffer the consequences as a result of their position alongside the US in the ANZUS Alliance. New Zealand’s denial of the ship’s entry, sent the message that New Zealand did not ‘care’ about its previous alliance with the US in 1951. This led to political debates, arguing that New Zealand was not ‘pulling its weight’ as a founder of the ANZUS Alliance. Several cartoonists were able to re-create this dispute as pictured below. However as a direct result of this action by the New Zealand government, the United States would sever all intelligence and military ties with New Zealand- essentially leaving them ‘frozen’ out of the ANZUS Alliance. The US Secretary of the State, George Shultz, would confirm that the US could no longer maintain its security guarantee, despite the continuation of the ANZUS Alliance. Two years later in 1987, Labour would pass the ‘New Zealand Nuclear Free Disarmament and Arms Control Act. Under this act territorial sea, land and airspace would become nuclear free zones- this still stands today. The passing of this anti nuclear legislation would be a direct result of New Zealand’s denial of the USS Buchanan. In a largely symbolic act, US Congress retaliated with the Broomfield Act, which downgraded New Zealand’s status from ally to friend. In 1989, 52% of New Zealanders indicated that they would rather break defence ties than admit nuclear-armed ships. By 1990 even National had signed up to anti-nuclearism.
Above: A cartoonists' impression of New Zealand's new anti nuclear legislation and implications that this held in terms of the ANZUS Alliance. CartoonsTop of the page: A photograph of the USS Long Beach, which was taken in 1989. The USS Long Beach visited New Zealand in 1976.
Listen: A radio broadcast of the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior in 1985. CLICK HERE |
The Rainbow WarriorAfter tensions developed with France over their nuclear testing in the pacific and New Zealand taking them to the International Court of Justice in 1973, their retaliation would fall on the 10th July 1985. The iconic Greenpeace vessel ‘The Rainbow Warrior’ was bombed on the evening of the 10th July by the French government. New Zealand was basking in its position as the leader of the anti nuclear movement in 1985, however nobody would expect the severity of the French’s retaliation.
On the evening of the 10th of July, two explosions ripped apart the hull of the idle vessel as it lay docked at the Marsden Wharf in Auckland, killing a Portuguese crew member, Fernando Pereria. The reasoning behind the attack, was that the Rainbow Warrior had been involved in protests over French nuclear testing in the Pacific and just before its scheduled departure, French Secret Service (DSGE) agents were sent to prevent it leaving for another protest campaign at Mururoa. Those responsible were quickly apprehended and identified as two DSGE Officers: Dominique Prieur and Alain Mafart as they were arrested two weeks later on the 24th of July. Charged with murder, both agents were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on the account of manslaughter. They were to carry out their sentences in full on Hao atoll in French Polynesia. Above: The Rainbow Warrior is photographed shortly after the bombs exploded. The case brought considerable embarrassment to the French government as it captivated news headlines. New Zealand’s relationship with France quickly began to deteriorate as a result of the bombing. Although the attack was on an international organization and not on the New Zealand nation, majority of kiwis took it more personally. So too was the case in politics and foreign relations. The fact that the attack was carried out on New Zealand soil created outrage and anarchy in New Zealand’s relationship with France. This deterioration of the relations with France led them to threaten New Zealand’s access to the important European Economic Community market- New Zealand exports to France were also boycotted. In recognition of the potential outcomes of the level of hostility that existed and continued to develop, both nations eventually allowed the United Nations to mediate a settlement. Almost a year after the bombing, on 8th July 1986, United Nations Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar announced, in a binding decision, that New Zealand receive compensation from France. An apology fee of $13million dollars was to paid to New Zealand from France. France was also further ordered to not interfere with New Zealand’s trade negotiations. It is evident the further complications that ensued as pat of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior, labeling it a significant consequence that seriously affected New Zealander’s. |
Key Ideas
As a direct result of the anti nuclear protest movement that had swept New Zealand off of its feet, New Zealanders would be drastically impacted by the ensuing consequences. Two clear consequences emerged as a result of the protest action that was demonstrated in New Zealand. With a significant level of protest action, the elected Labour government would pass legislation in 1987 that stated New Zealand sea, land and airspace territories nuclear free. There would be significant protest from the United States, resulting in the demotion of New Zealand from ally to friend with the 'Broomfield Act'. However it was calculated that in 1989, 52% of New Zealanders would rather break defence ties with the US than allow the presence of nuclear armed ships. With National now supporting the anti nuclear cause by 1990, irrespective of individual opinion, every New Zealander had been affected by the anti-nuclear protest movement. The consequences of its anti nuclear campaign would peak with the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in 1985. The bombing of the Greenpeace vessel would become the catalyst for further political action by the New Zealand government. New Zealanders felt that they had been personally attacked by the bombing and thus resulting in the rapid deterioration of foreign relations with France. France's response to this was to now threaten New Zealand's trade market by threatening New Zealand's access to the European Economic Community market. New Zealand producers would now face decking profits as exports to France were boycotted. In 1986 France was ordered to apologise to New Zealand with a $13million dollar apology for their actions in bombing the Rainbow Warrior. It is obvious that New Zealand's anti nuclear movement had a significant impact on its entire society.