How America opposed New Zealand
After New Zealand's defiance in trying barricade United States war ships from New Zealand ports, America saw it as though they didn't have to obligate the ANZUS treaty anymore as it, New Zealand had gone against the treaty as well. After the successful election of David Lange in 1984, David Lange set about changing the laws about nuclear powered vessels entering New Zealand or its waters, this was an aggressive move which combatted the United States and French policies which had declared themselves as nuclear power. New Zealand's new found independence shocked the shocked the President of the time, Ronald Regan, which instead of confronting communists and the Soviet Union, was against the United States and its policies. This followed for New Zealand the protests against the United States after the naval frigates came to the New Zealand ports and waters, as the "neither confirm or deny" policy antagonised many New Zealand citizens.
It was from there that United States foreign policy around New Zealand changed. The United States had consultations with Australia, and announced that it was suspending treaty obligations to New Zealand until naval frigates were allowed to enter New Zealand waters, after New Zealand's once again persistent refusal, the United States soon after stated that in terms of the ANZUS treaty, New Zealand was no longer an ally, but a friend. In the United States, the refusal by New Zealand blew into a crisis, and left the American public feeling betrayed against us through our 'rash' decisions. Despite this setback, majority of the New Zealand public were not flummoxed by the uproar from the United States, which was shown through the passing of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act, which was passed in 1987 which was two years after the USS Buchannan was refused entry to New Zealand.
The New Zealand public as a whole were happy about the maintaining of its Nuclear Free status, as too many it was the right step forward to a brighter future that New Zealand's future generations could enjoy with out the fear of radioactive material.
It was from there that United States foreign policy around New Zealand changed. The United States had consultations with Australia, and announced that it was suspending treaty obligations to New Zealand until naval frigates were allowed to enter New Zealand waters, after New Zealand's once again persistent refusal, the United States soon after stated that in terms of the ANZUS treaty, New Zealand was no longer an ally, but a friend. In the United States, the refusal by New Zealand blew into a crisis, and left the American public feeling betrayed against us through our 'rash' decisions. Despite this setback, majority of the New Zealand public were not flummoxed by the uproar from the United States, which was shown through the passing of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act, which was passed in 1987 which was two years after the USS Buchannan was refused entry to New Zealand.
The New Zealand public as a whole were happy about the maintaining of its Nuclear Free status, as too many it was the right step forward to a brighter future that New Zealand's future generations could enjoy with out the fear of radioactive material.
This cartoon followed the split between New Zealand and the ANZUS agreement. "Anti-nuclear protests in New Zealand prompted the passing of legislation banning visits by nuclear-armed or -propelled vessels to New Zealand ports. The US responded by dropping its ANZUS obligations to New Zealand."
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/cartoon/34316/suspended-from-anzus-1985
Key Historical Idea
A Key Historical Idea that came through our opposition to America was of unified belief, and sole leadership. The fact that New Zealand was demoted from 'ally' to 'friend' status did not bother many New Zealanders, they saw it as a small price to pay for New Zealand being nuclear free, and would accept the consequences. While Australia remained in the ANZUS agreement, some in the hoped we would return to the agreement. However America felt, it soon appeared to them that we would remain nuclear free. Along with the protests of the American ships to New Zealand waters as well as the David Lange debate, New Zealand shocked the United States President Ronald Regan, who felt that our communist leaning idea's were a bad image for America to be associated with. Despite this it did not affect New Zealand's attitudes towards anti nuclear issues.