The relationship that exists between the United States of America (US) and New Zealand (NZ) has strong, yet complex historical roots. According to Patman, the US can can be seen as NZ’s “principal strategic partner.” NZ and the US have remained allies in several global conflicts, including World War II, Vietnam (1964-75) and Korea (1950-53). With NZ proving to be strategically important to the US during the years of the Cold War. A hair raising point in history came when the friction that was apparent between the US and Russia brought the world the significantly close to nuclear warfare. Post-war, NZ became increasing important for trade.
However, the historical relationship between the US and NZ has experienced its cracks and it was largely due to that of what is today referred to the “ANZUS” Crisis. The Australia, New Zealand and United States signed what is known as the ANZUS treaty in San Fransico in 1951, which declared publicly and formally the unity of the three countries in the Pacific.
Articles II, IV and X were significant as they outlined the three countries agreement with regards to collective security, and that the treaty will remain in force unless one year of notice is given by the country no longer willing to participate.
However, the historical relationship between the US and NZ has experienced its cracks and it was largely due to that of what is today referred to the “ANZUS” Crisis. The Australia, New Zealand and United States signed what is known as the ANZUS treaty in San Fransico in 1951, which declared publicly and formally the unity of the three countries in the Pacific.
Articles II, IV and X were significant as they outlined the three countries agreement with regards to collective security, and that the treaty will remain in force unless one year of notice is given by the country no longer willing to participate.
However, the NZ social movements of the 1960’s and onwards lead to shaky ground being created between NZ and the other two countries involved in ANZUS, Australia and particularly the US. The people of NZ initiated many peace, anti-military, women’s and environmental movements and most significantly, the substantial and growing opposition to the French nuclear testing in the Pacific. It was once reported that “Many New Zealanders had ceased to feel in danger of external attack.” This widely spread opinion swept across NZ and eventually the Fourth Labour, Lange Government had to listen. However, this tune was not part of the United States song, who were already actively involved in the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
However, even amid growing resistance to ANZUS, military activities continued and the alliance was still strong. This was until the huge protests of the US Buchanan entering Auckland harbor in 1984, as the US would neither confirm, nor deny if nuclear weapons were stored on the vessel. NZ refused to let the ship enter NZ waters, which meant the end of not only the ANZUS treaty as we knew it, but also the relationship between NZ and the US and Australia. In turn meaning, that the intelligence and military ties were immediately severed.
However, even amid growing resistance to ANZUS, military activities continued and the alliance was still strong. This was until the huge protests of the US Buchanan entering Auckland harbor in 1984, as the US would neither confirm, nor deny if nuclear weapons were stored on the vessel. NZ refused to let the ship enter NZ waters, which meant the end of not only the ANZUS treaty as we knew it, but also the relationship between NZ and the US and Australia. In turn meaning, that the intelligence and military ties were immediately severed.
So with this being the case, David Lange, the Prime Minister at the time (depicted above) had to asses the aftermath and many questions regarding the future relations between NZ and the US were left unknown. It was clear that NZ’s by this time, no anti-nuclear POLICY, was at odds with ANZUS, however NZ polls showed considerable support for staying in the treaty. Officially the Government has never pulled out of the ANZUS Treaty till this day, only mere suggestions, such as Lange’s speech at Yale University where he merely suggested a ‘withdrawal.’
Relations today with the US are still apparent in many areas, including the integration with regards to Antarctic exploration, scientific break-throughs etc. One specific relationship with regards to security is NZ’s involvement in the highly secretive ECHELON program, along with America, Britain, Canada and Australia. NZ is one country that has benefitted hugely from the relationship. NZ’s role in this relationship is being the ‘listening post.’ The main part of the role involves the interception of a large volume of satellite phone calls, telexes, faxes, email and computer data communications. NZ gathers this data from the neighbouring Asia and Pacific nations and sends it to the to other members, including that of the US Homeland Security.
As well as this major security program other relations today in good working order, in 2008 the previous US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited New Zealand, where she was reported saying NZ is now a “friend and an ally,” which many regard as a significant statement that is slowly moving on from ANZUS.
Although the history of the relationship between that of the US and NZ is that of a rather ‘bumpy’ one, the hole in the road that can be regarded as the ANZUS Treaty is now being walked around. The relationship between the two nations can now be considered to be that of pre-ANZUS, the the integration of the two states resources and knowledge is illustrating to the world that great things that can emerge out of it.
“Both countries [NZ and US] share a deep and longstanding friendship based on a common heritage, shared values and interests, and a commitment to promoting a free, democratic, secure and prosperous world”
- NZ MFAT
“A direct line into the inner circles of power in London and Washington”
-NZ Herald
New Zealand and the United States