The years leading up to 1987 saw many pickets and petitions as kiwis gathered in masses to protest the controversial topic of a Nuclear free New Zealand. These people were involved in New Zealand’s anti nuclear movement, which consisted of groups such as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) , Campaign for Non-Nuclear Futures (CNNF), Greenpeace and many other smaller organisations that were dedicated to seeing New Zealand become nuclear free. The anti nuclear movement demonstrates ideas of protest, and shows just how passionate the people of New Zealand were about a policy change. Change is also an idea that is crucial to understanding the anti nuclear movement, as the protests carried out by New Zealanders were one of the most influential causes, and ended up changing not only national policy, but influenced other countries to do the same.
Protests in the Pacific:
New Zealanders initially became active in protesting the use of nuclear power and weapons in the 1960’s when the French began testing nuclear weapons in French Polynesia. Protest groups such as the CND were were passionate about stopping these tests and in 1972, sent protest ships to the testing site in Mururoa. Although these protesters were dealt with roughly by the French military, the CND continued to rally support for these protests, and eventually garnered the support of Labour Prime Minister Norman Kirk, as he sent two navy frigates into the test area. In the same year, the CND also launched a new petition against French nuclear testing, amassing over 81,000 signatures.(1) New Zealander's were beginning to see that although we are a small country- we too could instigate change to the policies of powerful countries. Soon after, New Zealand and Australia decided to take action against the French so they launched a case against France in the International Court of Justice - ordering them to cease atmospheric testing. |
Early Nuclear Protests in New Zealand:
These protests, led to the beginning of the anti nuclear movement in New Zealand, as New Zealanders learned to band together if they had any hope in changing national policy. The anti nuclear bug spread across new zealand, and gained the nickname of the “kiwi disease”, describing New Zealanders infectious advocation for a nuclear free New Zealand. Protesters took extreme measures to ensure no international ships containing nuclear weapons entered into New Zealand waters. Mr Bruce Deverell, a former teacher at Lynfield College was among those protesters and ventured out into the harbour twice to prevent American ships containing nuclear weapons from coming into our harbour.(2) New Zealanders were hostile the American Navy ships that visited, such as the USS Buchanan and USS Texas, as US ships refused to confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons on board. In 1976 the CNNF produced the largest petition against nuclear power in New Zealand's history with 333,087 signatures which represented over 10% of New Zealand's population at the time.
Nuclear free was quickly becoming the popular view of most New Zealanders. For such a small country, New Zealand was punching above their weight and enjoying their place as leaders of the anti nuclear movement. Protesters went to many lengths to promote their anti nuclear stance. Many posters were made advertising the protestors disgust of nuclear energy and weapons, as well as parades and public meetings to convince other New Zealanders to support the movement. Days such as “International Women's day for Nuclear Disarmament’ were held by organisations such as the CNNF in the 1980’s, to show the government how widespread and popular the anti nuclear opinion was and encourage others to share their stance. This day in particular gained support from government officials such as the Labour MP at the time, Helen Clark, which shows how greatly the anti-nuclear movement was starting to influence those in parliament. This day (May 24) is still prevalent in New Zealand's calendar, and has continued to be celebrated since the signing of the legislation in 1987. Word Disarmament Week, an event organised by Greenpeace NZ was also held many times in the years leading up to the signing of the legislation, also garnering support from party officials in ‘political forums of disarmament’.
New Zealander’s passion for a nuclear free country was expressed in diverse ways, as the songs such as “French Letter” and “No Nukes” by the Herbs were created to spread the kiwi disease. These songs quickly became hits among New Zealanders as the song “French letter” spent 11 weeks on the charts, peaking at number 15. This reflects how widespread support for a New Zealand nuclear free zone was among the people and how invested people were in the fight for a nuclear free policy.
This support was confirmed when opinion polls were taken before the 1984 election, and showed that 30 per cent of New Zealanders supported US warships, while a majority of 58 per cent opposed it. Furthermore, over 66 per cent of New Zealanders lived in locally declared nuclear free zones.(3) Labour Party won the 1984 elections, which was mostly due to their strong anti-nuclear views supported by most New Zealanders. Immediately after Labour won and David Lange was elected Prime Minister, he put policies into action which made sure ships with nuclear capability were not allowed into New Zealand waters. In February 1985 a port visit request by the United States for the USS Buchanan was refused, as the United states would not confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons. This was one of the first significant acts of protest against the presence of warships with nuclear capability, and had a detrimental effect on New Zealand’s relationship with the US.
These protests, led to the beginning of the anti nuclear movement in New Zealand, as New Zealanders learned to band together if they had any hope in changing national policy. The anti nuclear bug spread across new zealand, and gained the nickname of the “kiwi disease”, describing New Zealanders infectious advocation for a nuclear free New Zealand. Protesters took extreme measures to ensure no international ships containing nuclear weapons entered into New Zealand waters. Mr Bruce Deverell, a former teacher at Lynfield College was among those protesters and ventured out into the harbour twice to prevent American ships containing nuclear weapons from coming into our harbour.(2) New Zealanders were hostile the American Navy ships that visited, such as the USS Buchanan and USS Texas, as US ships refused to confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons on board. In 1976 the CNNF produced the largest petition against nuclear power in New Zealand's history with 333,087 signatures which represented over 10% of New Zealand's population at the time.
Nuclear free was quickly becoming the popular view of most New Zealanders. For such a small country, New Zealand was punching above their weight and enjoying their place as leaders of the anti nuclear movement. Protesters went to many lengths to promote their anti nuclear stance. Many posters were made advertising the protestors disgust of nuclear energy and weapons, as well as parades and public meetings to convince other New Zealanders to support the movement. Days such as “International Women's day for Nuclear Disarmament’ were held by organisations such as the CNNF in the 1980’s, to show the government how widespread and popular the anti nuclear opinion was and encourage others to share their stance. This day in particular gained support from government officials such as the Labour MP at the time, Helen Clark, which shows how greatly the anti-nuclear movement was starting to influence those in parliament. This day (May 24) is still prevalent in New Zealand's calendar, and has continued to be celebrated since the signing of the legislation in 1987. Word Disarmament Week, an event organised by Greenpeace NZ was also held many times in the years leading up to the signing of the legislation, also garnering support from party officials in ‘political forums of disarmament’.
New Zealander’s passion for a nuclear free country was expressed in diverse ways, as the songs such as “French Letter” and “No Nukes” by the Herbs were created to spread the kiwi disease. These songs quickly became hits among New Zealanders as the song “French letter” spent 11 weeks on the charts, peaking at number 15. This reflects how widespread support for a New Zealand nuclear free zone was among the people and how invested people were in the fight for a nuclear free policy.
This support was confirmed when opinion polls were taken before the 1984 election, and showed that 30 per cent of New Zealanders supported US warships, while a majority of 58 per cent opposed it. Furthermore, over 66 per cent of New Zealanders lived in locally declared nuclear free zones.(3) Labour Party won the 1984 elections, which was mostly due to their strong anti-nuclear views supported by most New Zealanders. Immediately after Labour won and David Lange was elected Prime Minister, he put policies into action which made sure ships with nuclear capability were not allowed into New Zealand waters. In February 1985 a port visit request by the United States for the USS Buchanan was refused, as the United states would not confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons. This was one of the first significant acts of protest against the presence of warships with nuclear capability, and had a detrimental effect on New Zealand’s relationship with the US.
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Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior:
The movement kept gaining the support of New Zealanders and reached its peak in 1985 when the rainbow warrior was bombed. The bombing of the rainbow warrior, was the greatest source of conflict in the anti nuclear movement. Two French agents posed as supporters or tourists, while the Rainbow warrior was open to the public, but instead planted 2 mines that exploded within 10 minutes of each other. Although everyone was initially evacuated, photographer Fernando Pereira returned below decks to fetch his camera equipment, and drowned as the ship was flooded. It has been speculated that the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior was an act of revenge against New Zealanders and Greenpeace, for their campaigns against the French, which resulted in nuclear weapons test ban at Mururoa. |
Although the sinking of the Rainbow warrior saw the loss of Fernando Pereira’s life, it also provided the anti nuclear movement with a much needed boost. It consolidated New Zealand’s anti nuclear stance and made New Zealanders that much more determined to make their anti nuclear stance legislation. The bombing also did wonders in promoting New Zealand's ‘silent war of independence’ as the surge of nationalism made New Zealand look like a strong political contender on the world stage. It helped Greenpeace (who at the time was a fringe environmentalist group) become known as a credible organisation who were dedicated to serious environmental issues. Because the bombing took the life of an innocent supporter of the anti nuclear movement, protesters became even more intent on making their voices heard by parliament. The Rainbow Warrior was now part of New Zealand’s history, its identity and New Zealanders wanted to use this tragedy, not as an obstacle- but a motivator.
(1)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand's_nuclear-free_zone
(2) Interview with Bruce Deverell conducted by Kalei Kennerley, Kathleen Tomacruz and Letitia Lovich (7/2/14)
(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand's_nuclear-free_zone
(2) Interview with Bruce Deverell conducted by Kalei Kennerley, Kathleen Tomacruz and Letitia Lovich (7/2/14)
(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand's_nuclear-free_zone