French and New Zealand relations
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Relations between France and New Zealand were tested as a result of the anti-nuclear protest, culminating in the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in 1985, and in more recent years the two countries still have little to do with each other. This was both a political and social and social consequence. Despite efforts as part of the anti-nuclear protest to stop French testing in the South Pacific at places such as Mururoa Atoll, testing remained active into the 1990’s. The French agreed to conduct underground tests instead of open-air testing in 1974 as a result of protest. The confrontation with France included much activism by Greenpeace. On July 10 1985 the Rainbow Warrior was blown up in Auckland Harbour by French agents. This act of terrorism was a result of the protest action at Mururoa Atoll and was intended to prevent the Rainbow Warrior from journeying to Mururoa, and to end protest there. However the incident sparked fury in the majority of New Zealanders and was behind many New Zealanders becoming anti-nuclear themselves, even if they previously had a neutral or pro-nuclear opinion before. The economic result of this was that France had to pay $7 million in compensation and agree to not block NZ trade to Europe for two years. When the French Prime Minister Chirac brought the agents back to France before their full sentence had been served, New Zealand could do nothing about it but many felt justice had not been served. Relations between France and New Zealand are still not particularly close however trade is strong between the two countries.
This cartoon was published in 1987 after the NZFDAC Act was passed. It questions whether the act will have any effect on testing in the Pacific as a piece of New Zealand legislation does not govern the actions of another country. In 1995 French testing resumed at Mururoa, so in a sense the cartoon was right. Nuclear testing by other countries would not stop because of this Act, but other countries took note of the 'fuss' stirred up by NZ. For New Zealand of course the Act was very significant as it gave the country an independence and status on the world stage.
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An example of the bombs dropped over the Mururoa Atoll by the French.
The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in 1985 was a retaliation by the French to anti-nuclear protest. Instead of dissuading protest, however, for many it solidified their dedication and the majority of New Zealanders became unflinching in their support of the movement.
In 1995, French testing began again at Mururoa. This blast was less powerful than previous tests. In total during this period about seven tests took place underground. This frustrated New Zealand further as it appeared France had disregarded the Treaty that banned testing. France said the tests were the final stage in preparing simulating tests on computer which would mean no more physical tests would need to occur in the Pacific. In 1996, France stopped nuclear testing, after 147 underground tests in total over the years.
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The video below is from One News in 2010, the 25th anniversary of the Rainbow Warrior bombing. In the video, the reporter calls the attack "the moment New Zealand lost its innocence." This statement in a mainstream news outlet is evidence that this is a common feeling amongst New Zealanders. The anger that is still felt over the incident is seen in the statements by Martini Glotje, the First Mate of the Rainbow Warrior. The video recounts how catching the agents who blew up the ships served only 2 years in prison. Mike Moore, the Trade Minister at the time, says that justice was not served. This video shows the continued bad feelings over the attack, and is an example of why relations between the two countries suffered.
