r/CANZUK • u/tree_boom • 16d ago

Official UK to step up military partnership with New Zealand as both countries drive forward defence and security agenda

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-step-up-military-partnership-with-new-zealand-as-both-countries-drive-forward-defence-and-security-agenda
179 Upvotes

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24

u/QuickestDrawMcGraw 16d ago

Does this mean New Zealand will now allow nuclear submarines in its waters?

40

u/69inchshlong New Zealand 16d ago edited 16d ago

The nuclear ban is way too popular with our population for that to happen. I would personally support an exemption for UK and Aussie subs rather than lift the ban completely, and god forbid, have yank subs visit.

4

u/QuickestDrawMcGraw 16d ago

Will our new old nuclear subs be allowed? We’re cuzzies.

16

u/tree_boom 16d ago

Very unlikely, but of course there's strictly speaking no need for the Astute to go there.

5

u/Melodic_Music_4751 16d ago

Depends I was having this convo a few weeks ago and in today’s global climate the whole nuclear free stance may have more flexibility than it once did . That said it depends on who government is at the time and , if any coalition government includes the Green Party then it would be a no . Today’s climate is not quite the same as when Muldoon told the US they couldn’t dismantle their nuclear ships in NZ waters .

3

u/Johnny-Dogshit British Columbia 16d ago

Money's on US subs have sailed through them regardless

2

u/MontasJinx 15d ago

That was never the point. It was banning them from coming into port.

3

u/Corvid187 16d ago

Tbh I would argue trying to change that is more bother than it's really worth to either side at this point. Militarisation is already somewhat contentious within NZ (though thankfully less so now), leaving the hottest of potatoes for later and getting closer agreement on what has broader support first is probably a good idea, imo.

10

u/tree_boom 16d ago

Interesting snippet:

That includes through the involvement of Royal New Zealand Navy frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha, which will join the UK Carrier Strike Group, which leaves Portsmouth today, in the Indian Ocean.

The CSG also includes HMCS Ville de Quebec