Throughout the years, New Zealand has maintained its Nuclear free power status. However, within the New Zealand Future Bill comes a proposal for the commencement of nuclear power stations provided that they meet certain conditions.
Disagreement arose between parties over this in the first reading of the bill; in spite of the Labour party proposing the bill, a party member said in the press conference that they were “no longer sure” what their individual stance on Nuclear stations was.
Green, National, Act and Te Pāti Māori maintained their attitude in keeping New Zealand nuclear free status with a member of the National Party calling the bill “a joke.”
If Clause 16 of the bill passes unchanged, this will overturn the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act of 1987. New Zealand may therefore no longer be a nuclear and biological weapon-free zone.
Janre Lim, Stuff