New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act is a New Zealand
law passed by the Fourth Labour Government
in 1987 "to establish in New Zealand a Nuclear Free Zone, to promote and encourage an active and effective contribution by New Zealand to the essential process of disarmament and international arms control". It also implemented a number of treaties in New Zealand, including the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
comprising all New Zealand territory (including ocean territory and airspace) and prohibited "entry into the internal waters of New Zealand by any ship whose propulsion is wholly or partly dependent on nuclear power" and banned the dumping of radioactive waste within the nuclear-free zone, as well as prohibiting any New Zealand citizen or resident "to manufacture, acquire, possess, or have any control over any nuclear explosive device." Similar provisions were made for biological weapons. Immunity from the law was granted to ships and aircraft exercising the right of innocent passage and/or the right of transit passage (in accordance with international law). The act established a 'Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control' "To advise the Minister of Foreign Affairs on such aspects of disarmament and arms control matters as it thinks fit." Offences against the act are punishable by imprisonment, "for a term not exceeding 10 years". It denoted a massive change in New Zealand's nuclear stance, as it now completely banned any association with nuclear weapons.
tensions between the United States
and the Soviet Union
, visits to New Zealand by US navy ships caused publicity and protest. In June 1984 Labour MP Richard Prebble
introduced a bill (one of a series since the 1970s) to ban nuclear armed and powered ships, as well as nuclear reactors and waste. The National
government at the time had a majority of one, and MP Marilyn Waring
crossed the floor
to support the nuclear free legislation. Prime Minister Robert Muldoon
claimed that Waring's "feminist anti-nuclear stance" threatened his ability to govern, and called a snap election
. After winning the election Labour entered office with the intention of declaring New Zealand nuclear free; the party had proposed to renegotiate the ANZUS
treaty to incorporate a nuclear free nation. The critical moment in relations with the US came in 1985 when the New Zealand government refused a request from the USA to allow the visit of the non-nuclear destroyer USS Buchanan (DDG-14)
on the grounds that it was potentially capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The US subsequently suspended its obligations to New Zealand under the ANZUS treaty.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
law passed by the Fourth Labour Government
Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand
The Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 26 July 1984 to 2 November 1990. It enacted major social and economic reforms, including reformation of the tax system. The economic reforms were known as Rogernomics after Finance Minister Roger Douglas...
in 1987 "to establish in New Zealand a Nuclear Free Zone, to promote and encourage an active and effective contribution by New Zealand to the essential process of disarmament and international arms control". It also implemented a number of treaties in New Zealand, including the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Summary of the Act
The act established the New Zealand Nuclear Free ZoneNew Zealand's nuclear-free zone
In 1984, Prime Minister David Lange barred nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed ships from using New Zealand ports or entering New Zealand waters. Under the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987, territorial sea, land and airspace of New Zealand became nuclear-free zones...
comprising all New Zealand territory (including ocean territory and airspace) and prohibited "entry into the internal waters of New Zealand by any ship whose propulsion is wholly or partly dependent on nuclear power" and banned the dumping of radioactive waste within the nuclear-free zone, as well as prohibiting any New Zealand citizen or resident "to manufacture, acquire, possess, or have any control over any nuclear explosive device." Similar provisions were made for biological weapons. Immunity from the law was granted to ships and aircraft exercising the right of innocent passage and/or the right of transit passage (in accordance with international law). The act established a 'Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control' "To advise the Minister of Foreign Affairs on such aspects of disarmament and arms control matters as it thinks fit." Offences against the act are punishable by imprisonment, "for a term not exceeding 10 years". It denoted a massive change in New Zealand's nuclear stance, as it now completely banned any association with nuclear weapons.
Background
In the context of a global nuclear free movement caused by mounting Cold WarCold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
tensions between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, visits to New Zealand by US navy ships caused publicity and protest. In June 1984 Labour MP Richard Prebble
Richard Prebble
Richard William Prebble CBE, born 7 February 1948, was for many years a member of the New Zealand Parliament. Initially a member of the Labour Party, he joined the newly formed ACT New Zealand party under Roger Douglas in 1996.-Early and personal life:...
introduced a bill (one of a series since the 1970s) to ban nuclear armed and powered ships, as well as nuclear reactors and waste. The National
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
government at the time had a majority of one, and MP Marilyn Waring
Marilyn Waring
Marilyn Waring, CNZM, D.Phil., D.Litt. is a New Zealand feminist, a politician, an activist for female human rights and environmental issues, an author and an academic, known for her contributions to feminist economics....
crossed the floor
Crossing the floor
In politics, crossing the floor has two meanings referring to a change of allegiance in a Westminster system parliament.The term originates from the British House of Commons, which is configured with the Government and Opposition facing each other on rows of benches...
to support the nuclear free legislation. Prime Minister Robert Muldoon
Robert Muldoon
Sir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party...
claimed that Waring's "feminist anti-nuclear stance" threatened his ability to govern, and called a snap election
Snap election
A snap election is an election called earlier than expected. Generally it refers to an election in a parliamentary system called when not required , usually to capitalize on a unique electoral opportunity or to decide a pressing issue...
. After winning the election Labour entered office with the intention of declaring New Zealand nuclear free; the party had proposed to renegotiate the ANZUS
ANZUS
The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty is the military alliance which binds Australia and New Zealand and, separately, Australia and the United States to cooperate on defence matters in the Pacific Ocean area, though today the treaty is understood to relate to attacks...
treaty to incorporate a nuclear free nation. The critical moment in relations with the US came in 1985 when the New Zealand government refused a request from the USA to allow the visit of the non-nuclear destroyer USS Buchanan (DDG-14)
USS Buchanan (DDG-14)
USS Buchanan , named for Admiral Franklin Buchanan, was a Charles F. Adams class guided missile armed destroyer in the United States Navy....
on the grounds that it was potentially capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The US subsequently suspended its obligations to New Zealand under the ANZUS treaty.