ISSN 0114-9199 ISBN 0-908881-1 l-8 WORKING PAPER NO. 7 NUCLEAR FREE NEW ZEALAND: 1984 - NEW ZEALAND BECOMES NUCLEAR FREE Robert E White July 1997 Author's Address: Centre for Peace Studies University of Auckland Private Bad 92019 Auckland New Zealand Tel. +64 - 9 - 3737599 ext. 8364 Fax. +64 - 9 - 3737445 E-mail.
[email protected] ii CENTRE FOR PEACE STUDIES WORKING PAPERS This Working Paper series presents current research carried out by members and associates of the Centre for Peace Studies, and aims to cover topics dealing with matters relating to a broad range of peace issues. Publication as a Working Paper does not preclude subsequent publication in scholarly journals or books. Unless otherwise stated, publications of the Centre for Peace Studies are presented without endorsement, as contributions to the public record and debate. Authors are responsible for their own analysis and conclusions. Centre for Peace Studies University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand iii ABSTRACT This is the first in a planned series of working papers dealing with aspects of New Zealand's nuclear free policy and legislation. They are intended to cover the introduction of the policy in 1984 and the legislation in 1987, and related developments in New Zealand following each of these events. This working paper has two goals. First, it is argued that New Zealand did not become truly nuclear free, free of nuclear weapons, until 1984 when Labour put its nuclear policy into effect. Claims frequently repeated during the 1970s and early 1980s that a former Prime Minister, Keith Holyoake, had made New Zealand nuclear free in 1957 are disputed, as are claims that New Zealand banned visits by nuclear armed and powered vessels during periods prior to 1984.