Aotearoa Globally

Whāinga ako: Lesson Goals

We are learning to understand where Aotearoa fits in the global context and how the world views us

Kupu matua - Keywords

Discuss associations with the word NUCLEAR | KARIHI

Mahi

What is NZ known for?

Brainstorm as a class or in your books what you think NZ is known for.

Our impact on the world

Aotearoa has always been viewed as a peace-loving, clean and green country. Part of the reason the world views us this way is how we have stood up for ourselves against bigger countries through history.

Nuclear-free NZ

On 8 June 1987 Nuclear-free New Zealand became law. Prime Minister Norman Kirk said: "I don't think New Zealand's a doormat. I think we've got rights — we're a small country but we've got equal rights, and we're going to assert them."

Only three major nuclear disasters have happened in the world since the 1950s (when nuclear power etc. became a big deal). However, New Zealand has remained quite strong on opposing the use of nuclear energy in or even having it near New Zealand. It has now been over 30 years that New Zealand has been nuclear free.

New Zealand is a nuclear-free zone, which means no nuclear weapons or nuclear powered ships are allowed in our territory. Find out how New Zealanders protested to make sure we were nuclear-free, and how incidents like the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior impacted on the nuclear-free movement.

GreenPeace Letter.pdf

Greenpeace in the Pacific

Read the letter and identify the perspective of Greenpeace.

What was France doing in the Pacific?
What was Greenpeace's perspective?
What is 'The Rainbow Warrior' ?

New Zealand vs. The World : The sinking of the Rainbow Warrior

New Zealand has stood up to the world many times over rejecting nuclear activity in our territory. In the mid 1960s, New Zealand was involved in ongoing protest when France began testing nuclear weapons in French Polynesia. Years later (still protesting!) July 10, 1985, the Rainbow Warrior (a Greenpeace boat which had been involved in protests) was blown up at Auckland wharf by French spies.

Task One: Listen to the radio report here.

Task Two: Read about what happened here. (Document on the right)

Questions:

What was the atmosphere aboard the Rainbow Warrior on the evening of July 10?
Describe the setting and activities taking place on the ship.
What might have been the purpose of the French spy attending the celebration?
What happened just after 8 pm, and what activities were taking place on and around the ship?
Describe the crew's initial reactions to the explosions and the sinking of the ship.
How did the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior impact the crew emotionally and physically?
What factors may have contributed to minimizing casualties in this incident?
How might the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior impact Greenpeace and its mission?
Consider the importance of peaceful protest and its potential challenges.

The Rainbow Warrior after the explosions which killed a crew member.

Rainbow Warrior

French Embarrassment

At first the French president denied that they had anything to do with the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior... and then two spies were caught. The French were forced to pay money to New Zealand, Greenpeace and to the family of the man killed, Fernando.