New Zealand’s Search for Security 1945 - 1985 NCEA Level 1

Introduction New Zealand’s post- Second World War foreign policy included being involved with the United Nations, ANZUS and SEATO. NZ’s foreign policy, since 1970, became more independent shaped by both internal and external influences.

World War II 3 September 1939, PM Michael Joseph Savage declared war on Germany June 1940 Curchill advised NZ that Britain could not match Japanese agression December 1941 Japanese forces attacked Pearl harbour 15 February 1942 Singapore fell to Japan NZ looked to the USA

March 1942 An American division was sent to NZ 100,000 US servicemen spent leave in NZ during WWII. 1944 NZ and Australia signed Canberra Pact

Canberra Pact signed to: consult on areas of mutual interest Oppose placement of military installations in the region Support the principle of Trusteeship Set up a Regional Commission to advance economic, political and social development of the region.

Post-1945 26 June 1945, 51 countries signed UN charter. Peter Fraser continued principle of collective security. Unsuccessfully opposed veto of UN security council. NZ made free and independent state with Statute of Westminster 1947.

Commonwealth 49 members joined Former British dominions and colonies South Africa left. Defence, friendship and trade purposes

Military Alliances 1. ANZUS 2. SEATO 3. ANZAM/AMDA

ANZUS Signed 1951 between US, Australia and NZ John Dulles signed for US, P. Spender for Australia and Carl Berendsen for NZ To: maintain and develop resources to strengthen ability to resist attack Consult if partner threatened in Pacific Act to meet a common danger in accordance with each members constitutional processes. Recognised foreign policy shift from Britain to USA

SEATO South East Asia Treaty Organisation signed Manila Pac 1951. To meet growing threat of communism in SE Asia. United States afraid of ‘Domino Theory’. China and North Korea had become communist Broader security arrangement than ANZUS

SEATO India, Indonesia and Malaysia never joined Weakened further when Britain withdrew in 1969 Pakistan withdrew 1973 France withdrew 1974 Phased out by 1975

ANZAM/AMDA 1955 - Australia, NZ, and Malaya also incl British forces in area. Defence arrangement not a treaty Commonwealth Strategic Reserve in Malaya used against communists in the Malaya ‘emergency’. And confrontation against Indonesia in 1964-65. Revised to AMDA in 1975 when Malaysia became independent. Australia and NZ withdrew 1980 except NZ troops in Singapore.

Asia NZ changed focus from Europe to Asia post war Closer ties with US Korea Laos Malaya/Malaysia Vietnam

Korea July 1950 NZ sent troops to assist UN. 2 Frigates and 2000 volunteer troops Served in Commonwealth Brigade Fulfilled oblifgations to UN and also developed friendship with USA

Laos Pro-communist uprising in 1959 Laos government appealed to UN 1962 SEATO became involved incl NZ Fall of South Vietnam led to Pathet Lao gaining control in Laos

Malaya/Malaysia 1955 NZ troops deployed as part of Commonwealth Strategic Reserve Forces (CSRF) in Malaya Fought communists during emergency 1964-65 Further threat from Indonesia. Sukarno objected to creation of Federatiion of Malaysia and became confrontational. CSRF met threat until ceased in 1965.

Anti-war meeting poster Vietnam 1962 Medical team to Vietnam 1964 25 non-combat engineers 1965 Artillery battalion to support Australia 3,500 total commitment over time. Holyoake justified it as SEATO commitment. 1960 protests. 1972 December troops withdrawn by Kirk 35 killed, 187 wounded Anti-war meeting poster

NZ and the Pacific Western Samoa Cook Islands Niue, Nauru, Tokelau South Pacific Commission South Pacific Forum

Western Samoa NZ gained Western Samoa under League of Nations 1947 Western Samoa established parliament 1961 voted for independence 1962 became independent but maintained links with NZ

Cook Islands Administered by NZ since 1901 August 1965 became self-governing Open access to NZ

Niue, Nauru, Tokelau Niue independent in 1974, NZ responsibility for defence and foreign policy. Niue citizens are NZ citizens. Nauru. Adminstered by NZ, Australia and Britain until independence in 1968. Tokelau – still under NZ administration with islanders preferring this position.

South Pacific Commission & South Pacific Forum South Pacific Commission came out of Canberra Pact of 1944 and established 1947. Comprises representatives 27 countries. Promoted economic and social progress South Pacific Forum – established 1971. Trade, shipping and investment.

1970-1985 Promoted policy of social and economic progress through aid programmes Bilateral aid direct between countries. Multilateral aid through third party such as Red Cross. Most aid focused on commonwealth countries then changed to ASEAN countries. Debate over whether the amount of aid is enough.

Foreign Policy since 1970 Nuclear debate Nuclear Testing in Pacific ‘Rainbow Warrior’ Nuclear Free NZ Rugby and Politics

Nuclear debate Frequent testing of nuclear weapons in South Pacific since 1945 Bikini – Woomera – Christmas Island – Lop Nor and Nagch – Nevada – Mururoa Atoll NZ protested against this testing 1963 Britain and USA and USSR signed treaty against testing of nuclear weapons in atmosphere. France, China and India refused to sign

Nuclear Testing in Pacific France used Mururoa Atoll as nuclear test site throughout 1970s. 1972 Greenpeace vessels sailed into the region 1973 NZ took France to Internatonal Court of Justice and won. France ignored order and continued. NZ sent Cabinet Ministers and frigates to test area. France moved testing underground.

‘Rainbow Warrior’ 10 July 1985 Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior was sunk at Marsden Wharf, Auckland. Fernando Periera was killed. French Government planned the attack. 24 July 1985 two French secret agents were arrested and charged. France boycotted NZ exports UN Secretary General was asked to mediate and he released the agents and France paid NZ compensation.

Nuclear Free NZ Joint Military exercises held untl 1984. Nuclear powered vessels visited NZ until election of Labour Government – stopped visits. US declared ANZUS no longer workable. NZ was excluded from ANZUS Council in August 1986 NZ’s staus was downgraded by the US.

Rugby and Politics 1960 protests in NZ against South Africa’s apartheid policy 1968 UN called for boycott of SA 1970 Rugby team of ‘Honorary Whites’ sent to SA

Rugby and Politics cont’d 1973 Rugby tour postponed 1975 National supported sporting ties and in 1976 Rugby union accepted invitation 1977 Gleneagles Agreement adopted by commonwealth. Despite Gleneafgles a Springbok tour of NZ was scheduled for 1981. Major protests took place and NZrs were bitterly divided. Police and protesters clashed.

Conclusion Increased independence and sovereignty since 1945 Less reliance on Britain and looked to USA Non-nuclear emphasis Looked to Asia and South Pacific

Bibliography Webb, Fountain, Hasler, Hearn-Rollo, Jarman, Lidstone, (2004), New Zealand’s search for Security 1945 – 1985, Auckland: ESA Publications. pp. 120-135.