Today in History

1973 HMNZS Otago sails for Mururoa test zone

Prime Minister Kirk told the 242 crew of the Otago that their Mururoa mission was an 'honourable' one − to be a 'silent witness with the power to bring alive the conscience of the world'.

Following France's refusal to accept an International Court of Justice injunction against nuclear testing, the Labour government decided to send two navy frigates, HMNZS Canterbury and Otago, into the international waters around the test area. A Cabinet minister was also selected to accompany this daring protest. Kirk put all the ministers' names into a hat and drew out the name of Fraser Colman, the minister of immigration and mines. 

The Otago arrived off Mururoa a month later, and those on board witnessed the first atmospheric test. Colman transferred to HMNZS Canterbury when it arrived to relieve the Otago on 25 July, and he and the crew of the Canterbury saw the second French atmospheric test on Mururoa.

These protests achieved some limited success. In 1974 the new French president, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, ordered that future tests be held underground. But as long as any testing continued, Mururoa would remain a focus of anti-nuclear protest.

Image: HMNZS Otago (Mururoa Vets)