Significance Today
The anti-nuclear legislation is still hugely significant to New Zealander’s today. New Zealand views itself as a leader in the anti-nuclear movement as it was one of the first countries to pass an anti-nuclear legislation, banning nuclear powered ships, nuclear testing and nuclear weapons in the country.
The legislation is still nuclear free today as the fact that New Zealand is still nuclear free today is celebrated, such as the Auckland Peace Celebration in 2012, a free event open to the public with a turnout of hundreds of people. This shows us that New Zealand still respects the legislation and is grateful for it today.
The legislation is still nuclear free today as the fact that New Zealand is still nuclear free today is celebrated, such as the Auckland Peace Celebration in 2012, a free event open to the public with a turnout of hundreds of people. This shows us that New Zealand still respects the legislation and is grateful for it today.
How the legislation shaped new zealand
The anti-nuclear movement and the signing of the legislation is one of the major ways New Zealand distinguished itself from countries such as Australia and other ex-British colonies. The legislation made New Zealander’s stand up for what they believed in, rather than sticking with allies such as the United Kingdom and the United States.
In 2012 there was a quarter century nuclear-free celebration to honour the legislation being passed. The decision for New Zealand to go nuclear-free has become part of the country’s national identity and heritage.
In 2012 there was a quarter century nuclear-free celebration to honour the legislation being passed. The decision for New Zealand to go nuclear-free has become part of the country’s national identity and heritage.
New zealand's relationships with other countries today
New Zealand and the United States’ relationship has significantly improved since New Zealand was downgraded from an ally to a friend of the United States in 1987 due to the legislation.
The 21st century has seen major improvements in the relationship, with the cooperation of the New Zealand Military with the United States Military in the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and more recently the New Zealand government showing support for the New Zealand Military to accompany the United States Military into Iraq, with the first New Zealand troops already having departed for Iraq.
New Zealand and the United States’ relationship took a huge blow in 1985 when the United States refused to ratify the Treaty of Rarotonga, being the only country not to. This was largely due to the fact that they were against New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stance. Although since then their relationship is once again a positive one. In 2011 President Obama sent protocols for the treaty to be sent to the United States Senate for advice and consent to ratify the treaty.
In 2010, John Key, the current Prime Minister of New Zealand, attended the Nuclear Security Summit which was hosted in Washington D.C by President Obama. This is because New Zealand is still recognized as a leader of the anti-nuclear movement in today’s society and because of this other countries, including the United States want New Zealand’s view on nuclear issues.
The relationship between New Zealand and France has vastly improved but still not recovered from when the French government ordered spies to bomb the Rainbow Warrior in New Zealand, although the diplomatic issue has been resolved there is still distrust between the nations.
The 21st century has seen major improvements in the relationship, with the cooperation of the New Zealand Military with the United States Military in the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and more recently the New Zealand government showing support for the New Zealand Military to accompany the United States Military into Iraq, with the first New Zealand troops already having departed for Iraq.
New Zealand and the United States’ relationship took a huge blow in 1985 when the United States refused to ratify the Treaty of Rarotonga, being the only country not to. This was largely due to the fact that they were against New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stance. Although since then their relationship is once again a positive one. In 2011 President Obama sent protocols for the treaty to be sent to the United States Senate for advice and consent to ratify the treaty.
In 2010, John Key, the current Prime Minister of New Zealand, attended the Nuclear Security Summit which was hosted in Washington D.C by President Obama. This is because New Zealand is still recognized as a leader of the anti-nuclear movement in today’s society and because of this other countries, including the United States want New Zealand’s view on nuclear issues.
The relationship between New Zealand and France has vastly improved but still not recovered from when the French government ordered spies to bomb the Rainbow Warrior in New Zealand, although the diplomatic issue has been resolved there is still distrust between the nations.