Anti-Nuclear Groups
CND
The New Zealand branch of the CND being set up in 1959 was one of the most prominent peace groups of the nuclear free movement. Branches of the NZCND stemmed all the way up and down the country from, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The aim of the CND was to have a nuclear free south pacific, and the two founders: Mary Woodward and Elsie Locke played a crucial role in the CND’s efforts. The CND’s main form of protest was to hold marches, distribute petitions and increase public knowledge on the situation through such things as pamphlets and meetings. An example of one such petition was the “no bombs south of the line” which had gained a total of some 80,000 signatures.
The New Zealand branch of the CND being set up in 1959 was one of the most prominent peace groups of the nuclear free movement. Branches of the NZCND stemmed all the way up and down the country from, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The aim of the CND was to have a nuclear free south pacific, and the two founders: Mary Woodward and Elsie Locke played a crucial role in the CND’s efforts. The CND’s main form of protest was to hold marches, distribute petitions and increase public knowledge on the situation through such things as pamphlets and meetings. An example of one such petition was the “no bombs south of the line” which had gained a total of some 80,000 signatures.
Greenpeace
During the anti-nuclear movement another prominent group at the forefront of protest action was Greenpeace. Greenpeace NZ was formed in 1974, two years after the original Greenpeace was been established, and was intended to band together many peace groups and unite them under one banner. This group came about from an amalgamation of 1960’s and 1970’s peace groups, for instance the CND and groups that barely a decade before had been protesting the Vietnam War. One of the significant actions that Greenpeace had undertook, was the sailing of the Fri, as part of a joint Greenpeace and CND venture. This boat was to sail from New Zealand to the Mururoa Atoll attempting to stop the French from continuing nuclear testing in the Pacific.
During the anti-nuclear movement another prominent group at the forefront of protest action was Greenpeace. Greenpeace NZ was formed in 1974, two years after the original Greenpeace was been established, and was intended to band together many peace groups and unite them under one banner. This group came about from an amalgamation of 1960’s and 1970’s peace groups, for instance the CND and groups that barely a decade before had been protesting the Vietnam War. One of the significant actions that Greenpeace had undertook, was the sailing of the Fri, as part of a joint Greenpeace and CND venture. This boat was to sail from New Zealand to the Mururoa Atoll attempting to stop the French from continuing nuclear testing in the Pacific.
Peace
Squadron
The Peace Squadron had commenced in around 1975. The Peace Squadron was the name given to the people who had sailed out in their boats to protest the entry of any nuclear-carrying and nuclear powered ships into NZ ports, beginning with about 9 people. Their aim was to “challenge the visitation to NZ of any nuclear-weapons “, and they wanted to achieve a nuclear free South Pacific. Members of the group would sit up the top of Rangitoto and radio down to the boats on the water, informing them of the navy ships movements. The images of small yachts and kayaks blocking the way of the enormous Navy ships gave more weight to the ‘David and Goliath’ metaphor being used in the media at the time.
The Peace Squadron had commenced in around 1975. The Peace Squadron was the name given to the people who had sailed out in their boats to protest the entry of any nuclear-carrying and nuclear powered ships into NZ ports, beginning with about 9 people. Their aim was to “challenge the visitation to NZ of any nuclear-weapons “, and they wanted to achieve a nuclear free South Pacific. Members of the group would sit up the top of Rangitoto and radio down to the boats on the water, informing them of the navy ships movements. The images of small yachts and kayaks blocking the way of the enormous Navy ships gave more weight to the ‘David and Goliath’ metaphor being used in the media at the time.
The Prime Ministers
Norman Kirk
Norman Kirk ran the Labour government from 1972-74, Kirk was in favour of a nuclear free New Zealand. His government was seen to be an “activist” government, because the South African rugby team was refused entry into the country and boosted relations with the growing economies of the time such as India and China. In 1973, Kirk had sent Dr. Martin Finlay to The Hague to take France to court over nuclear weapons testing in the South Pacific. The French refused this demand for a trial thus Kirk, silently accused the French by sending the HMNZS Otago to testing at Mururoa as part of the Peace Flotilla. However under Kirk, the New Zealand Government would consider allowing nuclear vessels into our waters.
Norman Kirk ran the Labour government from 1972-74, Kirk was in favour of a nuclear free New Zealand. His government was seen to be an “activist” government, because the South African rugby team was refused entry into the country and boosted relations with the growing economies of the time such as India and China. In 1973, Kirk had sent Dr. Martin Finlay to The Hague to take France to court over nuclear weapons testing in the South Pacific. The French refused this demand for a trial thus Kirk, silently accused the French by sending the HMNZS Otago to testing at Mururoa as part of the Peace Flotilla. However under Kirk, the New Zealand Government would consider allowing nuclear vessels into our waters.
Robert Muldoon
Robert Muldoon was elected into Parliament after Norman Kirk’s sudden death in 1974, he ran the National led government from 1974 to 1985. After coming in to power Muldoon put the idea of a nuclear free New Zealand aside to concentrate on the strengthening of New Zealand’s position on the global stage. The best way he saw to do this was through the reformation of the ANZUS Alliance, the reviving of this Alliance was one of his major policies. One of the ways he attempted to revive this pact was through inviting US ships into New Zealand ports. 1975 marked the start of the developing rift between New Zealand and American tensions, much to Muldoon’s dismay. This was largely down to the fact that Muldoon, much like Kirk before opposed to nuclear testing and wished to see a nuclear free South Pacific. Although he was against nuclear testing, Muldoon was very explicit in allowing US nuclear powered ships into New Zealand waters, which caused much public stir. This meant that protestors and peace groups strengthened resulting in Muldoon’s popularity lessening. In 1984 Muldoon called for a snap election. He did so appearing on television where it was clear he had been drinking by the fact he was slurring his words, and the image of Muldoon drunkenly calling an election was probably the deciding factor.
Robert Muldoon was elected into Parliament after Norman Kirk’s sudden death in 1974, he ran the National led government from 1974 to 1985. After coming in to power Muldoon put the idea of a nuclear free New Zealand aside to concentrate on the strengthening of New Zealand’s position on the global stage. The best way he saw to do this was through the reformation of the ANZUS Alliance, the reviving of this Alliance was one of his major policies. One of the ways he attempted to revive this pact was through inviting US ships into New Zealand ports. 1975 marked the start of the developing rift between New Zealand and American tensions, much to Muldoon’s dismay. This was largely down to the fact that Muldoon, much like Kirk before opposed to nuclear testing and wished to see a nuclear free South Pacific. Although he was against nuclear testing, Muldoon was very explicit in allowing US nuclear powered ships into New Zealand waters, which caused much public stir. This meant that protestors and peace groups strengthened resulting in Muldoon’s popularity lessening. In 1984 Muldoon called for a snap election. He did so appearing on television where it was clear he had been drinking by the fact he was slurring his words, and the image of Muldoon drunkenly calling an election was probably the deciding factor.
David Lange
David Lange ran the Labour led government from 1984 to 1989. The snap election called by Muldoon in 1984 was won by the Labour Party under David Lange. As he came to power, Lange promised to make New Zealand nuclear free and to ban nuclear weapons and nuclear powered ships from New Zealand territory, which were the main public upheavals of the National run Muldoon era. Lange still tried to compromise with the Americans and keep the ANZUS Alliance alive however he ultimately failed to do so. One of Lange’s most famous moments was during the 1985 Oxford run debate in October of 1985. His speech had been written after the USS Buchanan was denied entry by Lange, to NZ in February that year. The general consensus of the time, although the full American report had not been released, was that New Zealand was out of ANZUS. The points Lange made in the debate were: Nuclear Weapons are Immoral, New Zealand was opposed to such weapons, and that New Zealand did not have a duty to support nuclear weapons simply because their allies did. The most famous line of this speech being “and I will give it to you if you hold your breath for a moment. I can smell the uranium on it as you lean forward.” This speech acted to empower many New Zealanders by seeing their Prime Minister act like this and in the best way possible on the world stage. Creating a great felt surge of New Zealand pride. Lange’s pride in New Zealand to be nuclear free, and act independently caused many New Zealander’s to feel the same way.
David Lange ran the Labour led government from 1984 to 1989. The snap election called by Muldoon in 1984 was won by the Labour Party under David Lange. As he came to power, Lange promised to make New Zealand nuclear free and to ban nuclear weapons and nuclear powered ships from New Zealand territory, which were the main public upheavals of the National run Muldoon era. Lange still tried to compromise with the Americans and keep the ANZUS Alliance alive however he ultimately failed to do so. One of Lange’s most famous moments was during the 1985 Oxford run debate in October of 1985. His speech had been written after the USS Buchanan was denied entry by Lange, to NZ in February that year. The general consensus of the time, although the full American report had not been released, was that New Zealand was out of ANZUS. The points Lange made in the debate were: Nuclear Weapons are Immoral, New Zealand was opposed to such weapons, and that New Zealand did not have a duty to support nuclear weapons simply because their allies did. The most famous line of this speech being “and I will give it to you if you hold your breath for a moment. I can smell the uranium on it as you lean forward.” This speech acted to empower many New Zealanders by seeing their Prime Minister act like this and in the best way possible on the world stage. Creating a great felt surge of New Zealand pride. Lange’s pride in New Zealand to be nuclear free, and act independently caused many New Zealander’s to feel the same way.
