You Are Here:
Nuclear Free Seas Flotilla, led by Tiama heads out to meet the Pacific Pintail,a british ship carrying 250kilos of plutonium. They are seen here midway between Lord Howe and Norfolk islands.Seen here is skipper of flotilla ,Henk Haazen.
magnify imageWe decided as a small nation that the best means of self-protection was to not be part of the nuclear military structure. As Lange said at the time, 'there is only one thing worse than being threatened by nuclear weapons and that is being protected by them'.
Despite pressure from the US and the collapse of the regional alliance of ANZUS, we've stayed friends with the US, our nuclear free status has not meant economic ruin - in fact many would argue it's given us an edge - and we have maintained our right to decide our own foreign policy.
The Act established the first ever single nation nuclear weapons-free zone. It still represents the only example of a country embodying its nuclear free policy in law. The act is also unique in its absolute ban on visits by nuclear powered and armed vessels or aircraft.
It also bans the manufacture, storage, transportation, and testing of, and any other involvement with, nuclear weapons within our nuclear free zone. Plus our military personnel can't participate with other forces in activities involving nuclear weapons.
The legislation is still very relevant today. There's a new nuclear arms race afoot and a key driver of it is the fact that the five 'official' nuclear states - with the US out there in front - are developing newer and more useable nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons have not got any safer; they continue to be the ultimate weapons of terror. The proliferation of nuclear materials around the world is considered by the G8 to be one of the most severe global security threats today. There are no good nuclear weapons no matter who has them, so our best option remains to be part of the small progressive group of countries working towards nuclear disarmament. Part of that commitment means practicing what we preach. Our nuclear free status not only keeps us safe but is also part of the "brand NZ' - priceless really.
Despite pressure from the US and the collapse of the regional alliance of ANZUS, we've stayed friends with the US, our nuclear free status has not meant economic ruin - in fact many would argue it's given us an edge - and we have maintained our right to decide our own foreign policy.
The Act established the first ever single nation nuclear weapons-free zone. It still represents the only example of a country embodying its nuclear free policy in law. The act is also unique in its absolute ban on visits by nuclear powered and armed vessels or aircraft.
It also bans the manufacture, storage, transportation, and testing of, and any other involvement with, nuclear weapons within our nuclear free zone. Plus our military personnel can't participate with other forces in activities involving nuclear weapons.
The legislation is still very relevant today. There's a new nuclear arms race afoot and a key driver of it is the fact that the five 'official' nuclear states - with the US out there in front - are developing newer and more useable nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons have not got any safer; they continue to be the ultimate weapons of terror. The proliferation of nuclear materials around the world is considered by the G8 to be one of the most severe global security threats today. There are no good nuclear weapons no matter who has them, so our best option remains to be part of the small progressive group of countries working towards nuclear disarmament. Part of that commitment means practicing what we preach. Our nuclear free status not only keeps us safe but is also part of the "brand NZ' - priceless really.
