Sound clip: David Lange on nuclear ship visits

Prime Minister David Lange talks to an interviewer about the government's nuclear stance and ANZUS (1980).

Transcript

I have absolutely no plan to do that. I have been the subject of much representation by interests from the United States and Australia. In the run-up to the election and since the election, not the slightest sign of that buckling has taken place. As far as I am concerned, it is basic to our policy. It is in the interest of New Zealand security, and it is something which our friends will themselves accommodate to. We don't have, as a matter of an imperative, the duty to receive nuclear armaments into New Zealand or nuclear propulsion, and I know that our partners know that, and they will respect us when we insist on it

Do you believe that we will see the visit of an American nuclear warship to a New Zealand port between now and when we go to the next election?

No I don't. I don't think we will. I don't think we will, and I don't think that'll be the end of ANZUS either.