Nuclear-free New Zealand - NCEA Level 1 history activities

International relations: New Zealand's search for security 1945–85

Case study: nuclear-free New Zealand

Related link on NZHistory.net.nz

Nuclear-free New Zealand

Topics include:

• nuclear testing in the Pacific
• nuclear ship visits
• a nuclear-free zone
• the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior.

The nuclear debate of the 1970s and 1980s enables teachers and students to understand an aspect of New Zealand's search for security in the period after the Second World War.

This feature can provide students with a context in which to prepare for: 

• Achievement standard 1.5: It describes the causes and course of the decision to become nuclear-free as well as the consequences of this.
• Achievement standard 1.6: The nuclear debate had a significant impact on shaping the identity of New Zealanders.
• Achievement standard 1.3: There are numerous excellent historical resources relating to this issue that can be used for practice for final assessment.

A range of activities to support this study can be found in the navigation to the immediate right.