Genesis of New Zealand's ban

Journal Article · · Bull. At. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00963402.1987.11459556· OSTI ID:7050758

Salzman, J

When New Zealand's Labour party refused to allow the U.S.S. Buchanan, a ship capable of carrying nuclear weapons, to enter Auckland harbor in February 1985, it put into effect a nuclear free policy that had been evolving within the party for at least 12 years before the election that brought it to power in 1984. Endorsed by three of four major political parties in New Zealand, the proposal to ban nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed ships was backed by an independent and broad-based domestic antinuclear movement that mobilized significant public support during the three years leading to the election. When it entered office, Labour's mandate for banning nuclear warships from New Zealand's ports was clear; polls showed that about 70% of the public backed the ban. Now, however, both public support for the antinuclear policy and to some extent Labour's relations with the antinuclear movement are being strained by disagreements about the importance of Wellington's alliance with the United States. A clear non-nuclear defense policy has yet to be developed. 2 references.

• OSTI ID: 7050758
• Journal Information: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 43:6; ISSN BASIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
AGREEMENTS
AUSTRALASIA
ENERGY
FOREIGN POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NEW ZEALAND
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR ENERGY
NUCLEAR SHIP VISITS
USA