Being anti nuclear is a vital part of New Zealand’s identity as a nation, and is one that New Zealanders are proud to promote to the world. The Anti-nuclear legislation contributed to the ‘clean and green’ image New Zealand has today. It brought to light New Zealand’s integrity and courage to stick up for their beliefs despite pressure from other countries, and was a leap for New Zealand’s independence from Britain.
Moral Example:
Although New Zealand's Nuclear free legislation was seen by the US as foolish and an act of betrayal, in other parts of the world- New Zealand were seen as heros. They were seen as a small nation taking a courageous stand against a world superpower,as they made their opposition to nuclear power and weapons clear to the whole world. New Zealand was “the mouse that roared”.(1) David Lange’s success at the Oxford Debate presented a fresh new outlook that inspired other countries, and staked out its clear position on the world stage. Newspapers at the time of the Oxford Debate had headlines such as “Prime Minister Lange is in town”, a phrase which proved Lange’s significance, and therefore New Zealand's growing reputation and independence worldwide. |
Lange could’ve back down when the American’s said they wanted the “Buchanan or nothing” to enter into New Zealand waters, however he stood his ground- an act that received kudos internationally. The legislation allowed New Zealand to assert its beliefs, and prove that it doesn't need the nod of approval from powerful allies to speak out for the values they believe in. This strong opposition encouraged other nations to take a similar stand as like-minded countries such as Ireland, Sweden, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Egypt are now part of the New Agenda Coalition (NAC). The NAC was formed in 1998, and was signed by these respective countries with the intention of shaping foreign policy around the goal of nuclear proliferation. New Zealand diplomats were also involved in drawing up the Treaty of Rarotonga (also known as the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty) in 1985. This declared a nuclear weapon free zone in the South Pacific and banned the use, testing, and possession of nuclear weapons within the borders of the zone.
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Significance to New Zealanders now:
The anti nuclear sentiment is still strong within New Zealanders, and has continued to revolutionize the way the world views nuclear weapons and power. On the 23rd of October 2013, New Zealand won the top disarmament award- the Silver Future Policy Award- given by the World Future Council and the UN office of Disarmament affairs. The award sought to “highlight disarmament policies that contribute to the achievement of peace, sustainable development and human security”.(2) This demonstrates how New Zealand’s nuclear policy is still making waves around the world, and still opening the eyes of different countries to the anti nuclear perspective. It also shows how our Nuclear free legislation is still relevant in society today, as it is still very much in place, with no intention from the National or Labour parties of removing it.
The anti nuclear sentiment is still strong within New Zealanders, and has continued to revolutionize the way the world views nuclear weapons and power. On the 23rd of October 2013, New Zealand won the top disarmament award- the Silver Future Policy Award- given by the World Future Council and the UN office of Disarmament affairs. The award sought to “highlight disarmament policies that contribute to the achievement of peace, sustainable development and human security”.(2) This demonstrates how New Zealand’s nuclear policy is still making waves around the world, and still opening the eyes of different countries to the anti nuclear perspective. It also shows how our Nuclear free legislation is still relevant in society today, as it is still very much in place, with no intention from the National or Labour parties of removing it.
Kennedy Graham, the Green party spokesperson for Disarmament, said in an interview how “other countries listen to the voice of New Zealand on the world stage, because we have a reputation for being independent and principled”. He went on to say how the legislation was a “defining moment for many New Zealanders, as they were proud to be part of a clean green and principled nation.” (3)The Nuclear free policy has contributed greatly to the building up of this ‘clean and green” image New Zealand has promoted to the world. This image has helped mold our identity, and has not only helped promote our country’s nuclear free stance, but helped promote our country as a tourist destination and is a selling point for exports such as dairy and meat.
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In 2001 the Ministry for the Environment commissioned some research to see what our clean, green image was worth to both tourism and our exports. From these results the Ministry said that “Our clean green image does have significant export value. Our environmental image is a key driver of the value of goods and services in the international market place”(4) New Zealand’s nuclear free legislation helped give our economy its environmentally friendly brand and is a big contributor to the thriving economy we have today.
Kiwis today are proud of the stand their country took against such an huge, influential world power, and of the nuclear policy that makes up the country’s identity. Though New Zealand is a small country, it was -and still is- the mouse that roared.
(1)Hansard Debates: 'New Zealand Nuclear Free Arms Control’ Feb 1987
(2)www.scoop.co.nz- "Top Nuclear Disarmament Award Goes to New Zealand"
(3) Interview with Kennedy Graham, Green Party Spokesperson on Disarmament, conducted via email by Kalei Kennerley, Kathleen Tomacruz and Letitia Lovich
(4)http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/campaigns/nuclear/nuclear-free-nz/
(2)www.scoop.co.nz- "Top Nuclear Disarmament Award Goes to New Zealand"
(3) Interview with Kennedy Graham, Green Party Spokesperson on Disarmament, conducted via email by Kalei Kennerley, Kathleen Tomacruz and Letitia Lovich
(4)http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/campaigns/nuclear/nuclear-free-nz/