Today, both the National and Labour Party are in agreement on New Zealand’s anti nuclear policy, however this was not always the case. Leading up to the signing of the Anti-nuclear legislation there was much conflict between and within government parties. National had an initially strong opposition to the policy, while Labour supported and campaigned for an anti-nuclear policy long before the legislation was signed.This struggle between government parties, obviously demonstrates ideas of conflict, as the Labour Party fought hard to win the election and change New Zealand’s nuclear policy. The idea of power was also relevant to the struggle within parliament, as Robert Muldoon abused the power he had to ‘reinforce his mandate’(1) resulting in a snap election that got the National Party out of power. A continuity of these views, was shown by Labour party in their continuing support for the legislation -even 27 years later- whereas National changed their pro-nuclear stance to become more electable. This dispute between the two party’s was an important part of New Zealand’s journey to becoming nuclear free, and was vital aspect to the legislation being signed.
Nationals Initial Opposition to the law:
Rob Muldoon was Prime Minister from 1975-1984, at the height of anti nuclear protests in New Zealand. During his years as Prime Minister, Muldoon stirred up much controversy due to his allowance and support of American warships into New Zealand ports. Previously, the United States had to apply for clearance of any warships into New Zealand waters, however in 1976, Muldoon granted a blanket clearance to American warships. This increasing number of ships containing nuclear weapons, became an issue of great conflict as New Zealanders were protesting French nuclear tests in the Pacific, when Muldoon was allowing nuclear weapons in their own backyard. Muldoon was unashamedly pro-nuclear, and even went as far as saying the United States was not bold enough in their nuclear program, and that their defeat in Vietnam was due to their reluctance to use nuclear weapons.(2) In Muldoon's letter to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, he said it was "unrealistic" to proceed with a nuclear ban "until technological developments permit enough verification of its observance throughout the vast area of ocean involved".(3) Although Muldoon was becoming increasingly unpopular among many New Zealanders, fellow National MP’s such as Ruth Richardson supported his views, saying in 1987: “the bill is a cruel illusion that is being pedalled for none other than selfish domestic political purposes”.(4) |
However as the anti nuclear allergy spread amongst New Zealanders, support for an anti nuclear bill was growing, even amongst the National Party. ‘Rouge’ National MPs such as Marilyn Waring and Mike Minogue were open about their opposition to Muldoon's nuclear policy. Marilyn went as far as ‘crossing the floor’ or withdrawing her support from National on the Nuclear Issues.
This seemed to be the last straw for Muldoon, as he called for a snap election on the 14th of July 1984. The snap election was called when Marilyn Waring told Muldoon that she would not support his government in the vote over an opposition-sponsored anti-nuclear bill. Muldoon felt the need to prove to everyone through the election that he still had the support of New Zealanders. He felt he needed to reinforce the power he had as Prime Minister, despite his increasing unpopularity, as the government still could have continued on even if it had lost the anti-nuclear vote.
This seemed to be the last straw for Muldoon, as he called for a snap election on the 14th of July 1984. The snap election was called when Marilyn Waring told Muldoon that she would not support his government in the vote over an opposition-sponsored anti-nuclear bill. Muldoon felt the need to prove to everyone through the election that he still had the support of New Zealanders. He felt he needed to reinforce the power he had as Prime Minister, despite his increasing unpopularity, as the government still could have continued on even if it had lost the anti-nuclear vote.
Labour Party’s Support and Introduction of the Legislation
This snap election did not turn out how Muldoon planned however, as David Lange’s Labour Party won the election, with 56 seats to National's 37. The 1984 election saw the highest turnout for a New Zealand election as 93.7% of New Zealanders voted,(1) showing the strong desire they had to make their opinions heard. |
Labour party had a long history of support for the anti nuclear issue, as in 1959 Prime Minister Walter Nash, who was the Labour Party leader, supported a treaty to ban nuclear testing at the United Nations. Support continued under Prime Minister Norman Kirk, who was also a Labour Party Leader, as he sent frigates to the testing zone in 1973 to protest French nuclear testing. Labour Party members made up a lot of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament organisation and were involved in many demonstrations, parades and events organised by the protest group in the 1970’s and 80’s. Party members such as Helen Clark spoke at protest events, and many other Labour Party members participated in political forums of disarmament, to protest New Zealand’s nuclear stance under Muldoon.
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/0/7/21078128/5377023.jpg?292)
When it came time for New Zealand to vote in the snap election of 1984, Labour’s support for an anti nuclear legislation gave them a great advantage as most New Zealanders felt New Zealand should be nuclear free. In their campaign Labour made it clear to New Zealanders they would pursue policies that would establish New Zealand as a nuclear-free country. One year after Labour won the election in March 1985, David Lange fought and won the Oxford Union debate, successfully arguing that “nuclear weapons are morally indefensible”.(5) This was a defining part of New Zealand's identity as an anti-nuclear country, as it instilled an overwhelming anti-nuclear sentiment amongst New Zealanders and the world. This debate was what made the New Zealand government officially anti-nuclear- even if the legislation was still 2 years away from being signed. Lange had the support of the people. The country felt proud to be New Zealanders and felt proud that our anti nuclear stance was being promoted to the world. Consequently, by the end of the year nearly 40 towns and boroughs had declared themselves nuclear-free.(6) An opinion poll commissioned by the 1986 Defence Committee of Enquiry confirmed this as 92 per cent of New Zealanders opposed nuclear weapons, 92 per cent wanted New Zealand to promote nuclear disarmament through the UN, while 88 per cent supported the promotion of nuclear free zones.(7) In 1987 the Labour Party passed the Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act which prohibited nuclear powered or nuclear armed ships from entering NZ waters, making New Zealand a nuclear free zone.
Continuity and Change of Labour and National Policies:
National was initially hesitant about a change in policy, as being anti nuclear meant breaking the ANZUS treaty, and damaging an important relationship the our former allies, the United States. However, over the years, National realised just how deep the support for an anti nuclear policy ran through New Zealanders, and by 1990 changed their policy, as they knew their pro nuclear policy would hinder their chances of being elected again. To help sway the party’s opinion, in 1989, Greenpeace gave all its members a postcard to send to National Party leader Jim bolger prompting him to act on the 84 per cent of New Zealanders that supported an anti nuclear policy. By this time, even National MP’s such as Winston Peters and Denis Marshall were unhappy with their party’s pro nuclear stance. The change in Nationals policy was effective in helping National become more electable to the public as it stole Labour's strongest policy. In 1990, National won by a landslide, showing just how important the nuclear issue was to New Zealanders. Today, Nationals support for the legislation has still continued. National leader and Prime Minister John Key said in a 2012 interview that “I actually have to sign off on any military ship that comes into New Zealand and confirm that it doesn’t carry nuclear weapons and it isn't nuclear powered, and they’ll be no change to that”.(8) However, despite Nationals advocation for the anti nuclear policy, they are the most likely to support a review of the bill out of all the government parties, as 33% want the legislation changed.
Labour’s support for the bill is longstanding, as the Labour Party still support the bill wholeheartedly today. In a NZ Herald Article from May 1987, the Labour Party advertised their anti nuclear policy by saying “From day one of this Labour Government, nukes were out.”(9) This support was reaffirmed in a July 2005 release by Prime Minister at the time, Helen Clark. She stated that “Nothing has changed in the external environment to cause Labour to change its mind on the wisdom of New Zealand's nuclear free status.”(10) Labour continues to pledge its continued support for the anti-nuclear legislation even today, 27 years later.
National was initially hesitant about a change in policy, as being anti nuclear meant breaking the ANZUS treaty, and damaging an important relationship the our former allies, the United States. However, over the years, National realised just how deep the support for an anti nuclear policy ran through New Zealanders, and by 1990 changed their policy, as they knew their pro nuclear policy would hinder their chances of being elected again. To help sway the party’s opinion, in 1989, Greenpeace gave all its members a postcard to send to National Party leader Jim bolger prompting him to act on the 84 per cent of New Zealanders that supported an anti nuclear policy. By this time, even National MP’s such as Winston Peters and Denis Marshall were unhappy with their party’s pro nuclear stance. The change in Nationals policy was effective in helping National become more electable to the public as it stole Labour's strongest policy. In 1990, National won by a landslide, showing just how important the nuclear issue was to New Zealanders. Today, Nationals support for the legislation has still continued. National leader and Prime Minister John Key said in a 2012 interview that “I actually have to sign off on any military ship that comes into New Zealand and confirm that it doesn’t carry nuclear weapons and it isn't nuclear powered, and they’ll be no change to that”.(8) However, despite Nationals advocation for the anti nuclear policy, they are the most likely to support a review of the bill out of all the government parties, as 33% want the legislation changed.
Labour’s support for the bill is longstanding, as the Labour Party still support the bill wholeheartedly today. In a NZ Herald Article from May 1987, the Labour Party advertised their anti nuclear policy by saying “From day one of this Labour Government, nukes were out.”(9) This support was reaffirmed in a July 2005 release by Prime Minister at the time, Helen Clark. She stated that “Nothing has changed in the external environment to cause Labour to change its mind on the wisdom of New Zealand's nuclear free status.”(10) Labour continues to pledge its continued support for the anti-nuclear legislation even today, 27 years later.
(1)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_general_election,_1984
(2)http://www.disarmsecure.org/New_Zealand_Nuclear_Free_Zone_Disarmament_and_Arms_Control_Act_Law_and_Politics_of_Sustainability.pdf
(3)http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10589671
(4)Hansard Debates- February 1987
(5)http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/sound/oxford-union-debate
(6) http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/nuclear-free-new-zealand/nuclear-free-zone
(7)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand's_nuclear-free_zone
(8)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDQCItn6SUQ
(9)New Zealand Herald (5/87)
(10)http://www.beehive.govt.nz/node/23715
(2)http://www.disarmsecure.org/New_Zealand_Nuclear_Free_Zone_Disarmament_and_Arms_Control_Act_Law_and_Politics_of_Sustainability.pdf
(3)http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10589671
(4)Hansard Debates- February 1987
(5)http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/sound/oxford-union-debate
(6) http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/nuclear-free-new-zealand/nuclear-free-zone
(7)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand's_nuclear-free_zone
(8)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDQCItn6SUQ
(9)New Zealand Herald (5/87)
(10)http://www.beehive.govt.nz/node/23715