The signing of the legislation in 1987 had monumental effect on New Zealand’s reputation and relationship with countries all over the world, especially with the US. New Zealand was suspended from the ANZUS alliance by the US, an alliance that was an important part of New Zealand security, and protection from a nuclear attack. This caused a rift between both countries, as the US could not bring nuclear capable ships into New Zealand ports. New Zealand’s denial of the USS Buchanan coming into our waters, was one of the contributing causes to the suspension, and caused much conflict between the two countries. A change in this hostile relationship has occurred however, as a thaw in relations and increased association has developed over the years.
The ANZUS Treaty and its Suspension:
The ANZUS Treaty was signed in 1951, sealing an alliance between Australia, New Zealand and the US. After World War Two, New Zealand had lost confidence in Britain’s ability to protect such a faraway, and seemingly insignificant ally. New Zealand sought after an ally that was strong, powerful and would protect New Zealand from a nuclear attack, so struck up an alliance with the US. Meanwhile, America wanted to bolster up Japan, in an attempt to fight communism in Asia, an act which worried both New Zealand and Australia. The treaty was signed in 1951 to reassure both countries that a resurgent Japan would not compromise their security, as they had the protection of the US through nuclear deterrence. It was also signed to increase support for anti communism.
The countries involved agreed to “develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack’’(1), a stance most New Zealanders at the time agreed with as it meant assured security from a big world power. Politicians agreed with it also, saying it was the “keystone of our defense”, and dutifully sent troops to help support the US in Korea and Vietnam. (2) All was well with the treaty, until the anti nuclear bug began spreading around New Zealander’s in the 1970’s, as protests against French nuclear tests began in the Pacific.
By the 1980’s, nuclear free was the common public opinion, shared by the Labour Party. When Labour was voted into parliament in the 1984 elections, they put into place an anti nuclear policy that did not allow US Navy ships that were nuclear powered or had nuclear weapons. New Zealand’s policy did not sit well with the US, as its Navy’s ‘confirm nor deny’ policy -put in place to make it harder for the USSR to target American nuclear weapons- was challenged. At a UN General Assembly meeting in New York in the September of 1984, the US made it clear that they would not make an exception of their Navy’s policy for New Zealand. Later that year when the US requested the entry of their ship the USS Buchanan into New Zealand, they were refused. Although it was an old ship and unlikely to have nuclear capability, New Zealand was strong in their resolve as they felt giving in would be a ‘surrender by the government’(3) as Lange had called it. The ANZUS alliance had already suffered due to protests in the pacific, but Lange’s refusal on the USS Buchanan was the last straw. In 1986 the US suspended its treaty obligations to New Zealand. |
Fallout of the US and New Zealand:
As a consequence of New Zealand’s defiance of the treaty, the US suspended all its security obligations to its former ally as well as loosening its military ties. New Zealand was also demoted from ‘ally’ to ‘friend’ in the Broomfield Act of 1987. US Secretary of State, George P. Shultz said ‘‘we part company. We part as friends, but we part company’’. (1) America’s attitude towards New Zealand was not one of anger, but more of disappointment and betrayal. This however only fueled Lange’s motives to make New Zealand’s nuclear free policy into legislation, and as a result, the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act was passed in 1987.
This legislation didn't come come without a price, as New Zealand suffered serious blows to our military, intelligence and security. Any military cooperation between the two countries required a special waiver from the US government, as all military exercises and other forms of defence partnership were cancelled. Intelligence flows between the US and New Zealand stopped immediately and a distinctive chill in relations between the previously friendly countries, was evident. Although New Zealanders were still adamant about their anti nuclear stance; public opinion was divided when it came to the change in America’s policy. In 1989, 52 per cent of New Zealanders indicated that they would rather break defense ties than admit nuclear armed ships.(4) Some were proud of New Zealand's stand as an independent country on an international stage, and relished in our new freedom in how we would respond to American military exploits. However others pointed out complications with New Zealand’s relationship with Australia and worried we had lost credibility with Asia due to our lack of contribution to the security that the US and its allies brought to the Asia Pacific region.
As a consequence of New Zealand’s defiance of the treaty, the US suspended all its security obligations to its former ally as well as loosening its military ties. New Zealand was also demoted from ‘ally’ to ‘friend’ in the Broomfield Act of 1987. US Secretary of State, George P. Shultz said ‘‘we part company. We part as friends, but we part company’’. (1) America’s attitude towards New Zealand was not one of anger, but more of disappointment and betrayal. This however only fueled Lange’s motives to make New Zealand’s nuclear free policy into legislation, and as a result, the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act was passed in 1987.
This legislation didn't come come without a price, as New Zealand suffered serious blows to our military, intelligence and security. Any military cooperation between the two countries required a special waiver from the US government, as all military exercises and other forms of defence partnership were cancelled. Intelligence flows between the US and New Zealand stopped immediately and a distinctive chill in relations between the previously friendly countries, was evident. Although New Zealanders were still adamant about their anti nuclear stance; public opinion was divided when it came to the change in America’s policy. In 1989, 52 per cent of New Zealanders indicated that they would rather break defense ties than admit nuclear armed ships.(4) Some were proud of New Zealand's stand as an independent country on an international stage, and relished in our new freedom in how we would respond to American military exploits. However others pointed out complications with New Zealand’s relationship with Australia and worried we had lost credibility with Asia due to our lack of contribution to the security that the US and its allies brought to the Asia Pacific region.
American-New Zealand Relations Today:
A significant thaw in relations has occurred over the last 20 years since the signing of the Nuclear free Zone legislation. Both countries do not see eye to eye on the issue yet, however, the US has grown to accept New Zealand’s nuclear free policy and have stopped trying to change the minds of New Zealand politicians. In May 2006, Christopher R. Hill, US Secretary of State, said "Rather than trying to change each other's minds on the nuclear issue, which is a bit of a relic, I think we should focus on things we can make work” (5) In 2012, US Marines resumed training in New Zealand after 28 years, as well allowing the New Zealand Navy to take part in a biennial exercise in Hawaii that same year. This involved 22 nations, 42 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel, to which New Zealand contributed 350 personnel.(6) Signs of the not quite mended relationship were obvious, as New Zealand’s Navy ships were refused from docking in Pearl Harbour unlike the other 40 ships taking part in the exercise and were instead redirected to the civilian dock in Honolulu. This shows how an underlying conflict -though small- still exists between both countries, no matter how far it has come since 1987, demonstrating a sense of continuity in the US’s reservations toward New Zealand.
Though this relationship may not be perfect, it has improved significantly over the years, as the United States restored New Zealands favoured-nation status for weapons procurements and also continued sharing intelligence information. Obama has played a big role in the thaw in relations between the two countries. John Key visited President Obama in 2011, where Obama voiced his hopes for a world that is eventually free of nuclear weapons. Obama’s advocacy for the abolishment of nuclear weapons, has allowed New Zealand to form a better and more understanding relationship, as New Zealand’s nuclear free policy has started to become a credential instead of an inconvenience. Former President Bill Clinton also praised New Zealand's nuclear free policy in 2010, saying “We share a common goal. Both of us are committed to creating a world without nuclear weapons.”
US and New Zealand relations still have a way to go before New Zealand reaches ‘ally’ status again, however the thaw in relations and change in the American perspective, is one New Zealand welcomes.
(1)http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/amycatalinac/files/catalinac_fpa.pdf(
2)the Evolution of Nuclear-free New Zealand: Ideas and Foreign Policy Change- Amy L. Catalinac
(3)The Naked Nuclear Emperor- Robert Green
(4)http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/nuclear-free-new-zealand/nuclear-free-zone
(5)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand%E2%80%93United_States_relations
(6)http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816983
(7)http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/new-zealand-identity/page-4
2)the Evolution of Nuclear-free New Zealand: Ideas and Foreign Policy Change- Amy L. Catalinac
(3)The Naked Nuclear Emperor- Robert Green
(4)http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/nuclear-free-new-zealand/nuclear-free-zone
(5)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand%E2%80%93United_States_relations
(6)http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816983
(7)http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/new-zealand-identity/page-4