New Zealand was involved militarily in Korea from 1950 to 1957, first as part of the United Nations 'police action' to repel North Korea's invasion of its southern neighbour, and then in a garrison role after the armistice in July 1953.
New Zealand and other American allies came under increased pressure to provide combat assistance. An unenthusiastic Holyoake responded to American entreaties in December 1964 by pointing to New Zealand's commitments in Malaysia, where its forces were involved in Confrontation.
British troops surrendered to the Japanese at Singapore in February 1942. The loss of Singapore was the largest surrender in British military history and its greatest defeat since it lost its colonies in the American War of Independence.
The New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act was passed into law, establishing this country as a nuclear and biological weapon-free zone
Signed by Australia, New Zealand and the US, the ANZUS treaty recognised that an armed attack in the Pacific area on one member endangered the peace and safety of the others.
