It is 33 years since the last nuclear vessel came to New Zealand: the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Queenfish that visited Auckland in 1983 equipped to launch five-kiloton nuclear weapons. It was the last, because soon after New Zealand banned nuclear-armed and powered warship visits. Now the Government has invited a United States warship to visit the country as part of this year’s Navy 75th anniversary celebration. Could that spell the end of the nuclear free policy? There has been worried discussion on this question. The answer – based on reliable, publicly available sources – is no, not at all. If the US Navy sends a warship in November, it will be on New Zealand’s terms. The nuclear free policy is not threatened.
NZ Herald 9th June 2016 read more »
Greenpeace New Zealand 15th June 2016 read more »