Aotearoa New Zealand’s
Nuclear History

Explore this collection of resources to learn about the fascinating history of Aotearoa New Zealand’s nuclear stance and how the New Zealand Navy was involved.

New Zealand moved from support of nuclear power and thermonuclear testing in the 1950s to protesting nuclear testing in the 1970s as political and cultural attitudes changed. In the 1980s, New Zealand’s membership of ANZUS was tested, the nation experienced its first act of terrorism when the Rainbow Warrior was bombed by French intelligence agents, and also declared itself a nuclear and biological weapon-free zone.