Defence Minister Chris Penk says it could be “helpful” to have a conversation about New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stance.
Penk’s comment came as a response to a question at a security forum in Singapore about Australia buying nuclear-propelled submarines.
“You do have a nuclear-free policy, might you ease that, so you're able to have nuclear powered submarines in the waters in New Zealand?” a reporter asked.
Penk responded: “I think there’s no official or even unofficial change in New Zealand Government policy along those lines, traditionally the New Zealand public have been very sceptical about nuclear weapons, which might be an interesting conversation in terms the extent of which that's different from nuclear propulsion.
"And of course our only formal ally is that now, being Australia, acquiring the nuclear powered submarines, means it would be helpful I think for us to have that conversation in New Zealand.”
A key component of the 2021 AUKUS agreement was for Australia to acquire nuclear-propelled submarines in the 2030s.
Since the 1980s, New Zealand has been officially nuclear free, and has banned nuclear-armed or nuclear-powered vessels in its waters.
Political commentator Robert Patman said: “Many of our close friends in the Pacific, the Pacific island states and also in South East Asia would be quite alarmed if we started backtracking on the question of rejecting nuclear power in all its facets.”
Nuclear-free policy won't change, Luxon's office says
In 2023, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand “will always have a nuclear free position, that is a non-negotiable”.
Luxon’s office confirmed today the nuclear-free policy would not change, but also would not say if the Prime Minister agreed with Penk’s remarks.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said New Zealanders “are rightly proud” of the nuclear free stance.
“We’re respected around the world for it, nuclear energy, nuclear war is something that New Zealand’s been firmly opposed to and we should stay that way.”
Penk responds to Hegseth ‘freeloading’ comment
At the same security forum yesterday, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said New Zealand is “freeloading” off the American military due to its low level of military spending.
Penk also responded to these comments.
“New Zealand is not a freeloader, and I think the context of [Hegseth’s] remarks are really important.
“Historically, we’ve invested at a lower level than many of our friends and partners and allies but he important thing to note is that we are increasing.”
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