Regional Security

A short term cause of anti-nuclear protest was New Zealand’s new focus on the South Pacific. In the 1950’s and 1960’s New Zealand began to move away from being dependent on its major power allies, and to turn its focus towards regional security, which led to an increased interest in the issues of the Pacific. New Zealand was committed to the ANZUS alliance, which was about co-operation on defence matters, and SEATO alliance, which was a South East Asia anti-communist alliance. These alliances are examples of New Zealand’s participation in world security during the 1950’s. Interest in regional security grew as the New Zealand consciousness moved away from seeing itself as being a British colony, to having independence and power in its own region. This came with the realisation and understanding that New Zealand was affected by the events in the South Pacific. Along with this, disagreements amongst its allies meant that relations between the US and NZ became slightly frayed. In the 1956 Suez Canal Crisis, the United States condemned British (and French) military action. This was a temporary disagreement; however, America branded New Zealand ‘virtually a colony’ which dented the reputation of New Zealand. This caused New Zealand to turn its gaze towards the South Pacific, more than in previous years. Nuclear testing in the Pacific by the Americans and the British frightened many people as they realised how the effects of radiation in the South Pacific, especially the testing of the H-bomb by the US. The British tested fewer weapons than other countries, so protest against them was not as prominent. The Labour Party, in 1969, supported having a more independent position on world issues. This began to be implemented when they came to power under Norman Kirk in 1972. New Zealand’s interest in regional security meant people were more affected and cared about the issues there, as they could have health, economic, and military impacts on New Zealand.

  

This is a map of the Asia-Pacific region in the 1950's. Nuclear test sites can be seen in what is called the Pacific Proving Grounds near the Marshall Islands by the US, and at Christmas Island and in Australia by the UK. The countries in blue are members of the Colombo Plan which strives to strengthen economic development. The map puts into perspective where New Zealand was in relevance to nuclear testing in the 1950's, and why people in New Zealand were starting to fear the effects of radiation, being in such close proximity to the tests.

This map of nuclear testing sites shows the abundance of testing sites and waste dumping sites in the Pacific. As well as wanting to prevent negative health effects and radiation in New Zealand, the anti-nuclear protest also had an aspect of wanting to protect the Pacific Islands that were the test sites, and the people who lived on them. This desire was caused by the increased interest New Zealand had in the South Pacific.