Asked whether New Zealand might ease its rules to allow nuclear powered submarines into its waters, given that Australia's slated to get three nuclear powered subs as part of the AUKUS deal, Chris Penk said, “We don't have any official shift in our no nukes policy, but the subject," he said, “is worth chatting about." He said New Zealanders are sceptical of nuclear weapons, but it's quite a different proposition when it comes to nuclear propulsion.
And that is quite true. New Zealand doesn't allow nuclear propelled vessels into its waters, whether they carry nuclear weapons or not. We don't allow nuclear weapons, we don't allow nuclear propulsion, but we do allow nuclear technology in this country. Radioactive isotopes are used to diagnose conditions and treat cancers. Our universities and research centres use small scale radioactive sources for research, and various industries use nuclear gauges and X ray technology for quality control, safety testing, and measurement. So it's not like we're as pure as the driven snow. We don't allow nuclear weapons, sure, but nuclear propulsion, surely you'd put that in the same category as X ray machines.
We seem to be okay with a little bit of nuclear energy and technology – what about a little wee bit more when it comes to propulsion? No way," says Christopher Luxon. We're going to remain purer than the driven snow and we will maintain our no nuke stance."
We seem to be okay with a little bit of nuclear energy and technology – what about a little wee bit more when it comes to propulsion? No way," says Christopher Luxon. We're going to remain purer than the driven snow and we will maintain our no nuke stance."
CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Essentially, we've got a long-standing position from '87. It's across the political spectrum. All New Zealanders feel very strongly about the nuclear free position.
HEATHER DU PLESSIS-ALLAN: No, they don't.
LUXON: No, they do. They do. And whether it's nuclear propulsion or nuclear armed, that's something that we're not up for and we won't be changing.
Right. So this gentleman's not for turning, to misquote Margaret Thatcher. “All New Zealanders feel strongly about this," he said. “No, they don't," said Heather, filling in for Mike. No, they don't. I'm kind of with Heather. I couldn't have been more proud as a kid when New Zealand took on this David and Goliath stance against America. “No nukes," we said. And the world applauded and we took the moral high ground and caused strains with our relationship with the United States, the UK, and Australia. There were tensions, but my god, we were noble and we were holy and we were righteous. David Lange and the fourth Labour Government put us on the world stage with our no nuke stance.
All very well and good, but there will be some of you who weren't even born when that was happening. The world has moved on. The world is a vastly different place than it was 40 years ago. I think we have to be open to a discussion about, A, our stance around nuclear weapons, B, around our stance on nuclear propulsion when it comes to armed forces around the world, and C, when it comes to nuclear energy. It makes sense. If the Greens are putting up roadblocks to more hydro dams, we cannot depend on solar energy alone. Open your curtains, look out the window. We need to have a constant, steady, reliable source of energy and we need to be able to discuss where that comes from.
We need in this crazy world to have strong defensive alliances. And if that means allowing nuclear propelled ships, submarines into our waters, I'm okay with that. I'm not as righteous as Christopher Luxon seems to think New Zealanders are. Where do you stand on this one? A little bit more nukes? I mean, we already have some because we understand the value it brings. We understand the good it can do. What about a little bit more?
Kerre McIvor, is a journalist, radio presenter, author and columnist. Currently hosts the Kerre Woodham mornings show on Newstalk ZB - where this article was sourced.
6 comments:
Personally I am all for nuclear power. Wind and solar don't work well enough. Too many in NZ won't even think about it though. In politics it would be a vote loser so it will never happen, unfortunately.
Again National are determined to hold NZ back. We surely are mature enough to discuss.
We need more power, lots more power.
Will wind and solar really be the solution?????
Nuclear power as in propulsion and electricity generation, and nuclear weapons, are as different as internal combustion engines (fuels being chemicals) and batteries are from high explosives used as bombs. Any discussion about nuclear power generation needs to set aside military applications completely, as that is not what we are on about.
Thank you to Kerri McIvor for being prepared to fly this issue. Yes, keep nuclear weapons out by all means, but nuclear power? It’s as different from weapons as an internal combustion engine is to a Molotov cocktail. Surely our objection to nuclear power is an insult to those nations who, unlike us, have few if any opportunities for hydro and geothermal power generation and rely on nuclear power plants for their electricity supply. The implication is that we think that they are somewhat immoral; which is rather precious, really.
Woodham is spot on with her analysis of the difference between nuclear weapons and nuclear propulsion. The matter of nuclear fueled power generation also needs addressing to move away from virtue signalling and focus on basic economics. For example, it would be interesting to see how the cost of building and operating a nuclear powered station would stack up against a new geo-thermal power station. Geo-thermal power technology has advanced every bit as much as nuclear technology in recent years and we are world leaders in harnessing that particular resource. The fuel is all beneath our feet, it is sustainable, and as green as it can get with zero carbon emissions. And other than the usual speculative iwi objections, which undoubtedly would also arise for nuclear, there should be a lot less irrational political opposition. Seems like a win-win if the economics stack up.
It amuses me that to visit Europe , sojourn in France is of particular appeal and worthy of letting slip in appropriate company .
Never let it be said that you consumed , enjoyed participated in anything using electricity, heaven forbid electricity from a French nuclear energy plant that is exported all over Europe.
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