Y11 History - NZ's Search for Security 1945-1980

This NZOER resource is designed to become a collaborative textbook for New Zealand secondary school students studying the above topic. Guiding questions for this topic are:

(b) Why and how has New Zealand become increasingly involved in South-East Asia and the Pacific since World War II
Niue and Tokelau:

Tokelau has a lesser degree of de jure independence than the Cook Islands and have, and had been moving toward free association status. New Zealand's representative in Tokelau is the Administrator of Tokelau and has the power to overturn rules passed by the general fono. The people of Tokelau have generally rejected accepting a system of governance equivocal to that of Niue and the Cook Island's by the means of several referenda conducted by New Zealand and with the United Nations request. Despite their close relationship to New Zealand, both the Cook Islands and Niue maintain some diplomatic relations in their own name. Both countries maintain High Commissions in New Zealand and have New Zealand High Commissioners resident in their capitals. In Commonwealth practice, High Commissioners represent their governments, not the Head of State.

Cook Islands: NZAID has allocated $756 Million for Pacific development over the next 3 years. In 2008/09 NZAID spent approximately $471.3 Million on overseas development assistance. Cook Islands became self-governing in free association with NZ on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action.

(Western) Samoa How NZ helped Western Samoa become independent: During WWI New Zealand seized Western Samoa from the Germans through a series of battles. Although Germany did not initially reliquish Western Samoa they were forced to by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. Western Samoa became first a UN mandate under New Zealand's advisory then changed to a UN trusteeship under NZ's administration. However New Zealands power over Western Samoa was not popular and so in 1962 Western Samoa became an independent country under it's first PM Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u II. It wasn't until July 1997 that Western Samoa dropped the first part of it's name and became Samoa.

New Zealand began helping with development in 1947. In the Samoa Amendment act it helped Samoa set up its self governance. From the 1970's New Zealand's aid was mostly in the form of technical training. NZAID's Strategy for the Development of Samoa 2008-2012: ensuring sustainable economic and social progress reflects a vision of 'Improved Quality of Life for All'.

NZAID is providing over NZ$5 million annually towards initiatives that support human resource development in Samoa.

(c) What was New Zealand’s role on the international stage 1970–1985?
Refusal of the U.S.S. Buchanan

What lead up to the refusal of the U.S.S. Buchanan? The Labour Government came into power in 1984 with a policy to pursue anti-nuclear New Zealand. This was supported by over 40 New Zealand towns and suburbs who had already declared themselves 'Nuclear Free'. The Auckland Peace Squadron, who had already been involved in multiple protests in NZ waters against other Nuclear armed ships, and the largely supported Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament group, who had organised many protests and movements against Nuclear powers, especially in the Southern Pacific, backed this government strongly in their efforts to create a Nuclear-Free NZ. However, the opinion of the U.S.A was different - and they decided to test the NZ Labour Government on their resolve to secure this policy by sending the request to let the nuclear-capable U.S.S Buchanan to sail into NZ waters without confirming or denying whether it had nuclear arms on board.

What actually happened with the refusal of the U.S.S. Buchanan? Upon the arrival of US ships, New Zealander's protested the entry of US ships into New Zealand waters because of the reason that US ships were either nuclear powered or nuclear capable, the protests went on as way to show the government that New Zealander's wanted a Nuclear free country. The government finally caved in when they saw the USS Buchanan. They denied entry of the USS Buchanan into New Zealand waters.

What were the consequences of the refusal of the U.S.S. Buchanan? After New Zealand declined the USS Buchanan access into New Zealand waters there were a number of consequenses. A couple of days after the USS Buchanan was denied entry into New Zealand waters Washington broke off military ties and intelligence with New Zealand as well as cutting back political and diplomatic exchanges. George Schultz confirmed that although the ANZUS treaty remained the United States was not willing to maintain it security agreement. In 1987 Labour passed the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act.

The Oxford Union Debate – David Lange

Cause : The mass protests (through out 1984 ~ 1985) and the USS Buchanan (Januaray 1985) Labour made stand against the Americans. Labour was elected and the nuclear free was the election issue.

Details about the Oxford Union Debate : The debate was held on 1985 and was widely televised. NZ (David Lange) was for 'nuclear weapons are morally indefensible'. During the debate David Lange argued that nuclear weapons are not exceptable for humanity, he competed against the U.S. right wing Jerry Falwell. Many viewed this debate as 'as Lange's finest hour on the world stage' (quote taken from wikipedia).

Most famous qoute from the debate was - Arguer for the negative: What I should like to know, sir, is why you don't do the honourable and the consistent thing and pull out of the ANZUS alliance. For whether you are snuggling up to the bomb or living in the peaceful shadow of the bomb, New Zealand benefits, sir. And that's the question with which we charge you. And that's the question with which we would like an answer, sir. David Lange: And I'm going to give it to you if you hold your breath just for a moment ... I can smell the uranium on it as you lean towards me!

Outcome : It cause international awarness of where NZ stand in the nuclear arms race. ANZUS inoperable

Rainbow Warrior:

-what lead up to this event: NZ protests against nuclear activity in south pacific region. Greenpeace flag ship the Rainbow Warrior entered NZ waters boosting public morale that would potentially interfere with French intentions. NZ had previously taken France to the world court Nuclear testing in south Pacific region, this was followed by Norman Kirk sending two frigates to stop French nuclear testing.

-what actually occurred: On July 10th 1985 the Greenpeace flag ship 'the Rainbow Warrior' was bombed by two French agents (Alain Mafart and Dominique Prieur). A Portuguese photographer (Fernando Pereira) lost his life retrieving his camera.

-what were the consequences for NZ: First act of international terrorism against NZ.