1.What are your views on nuclear power?

I believe that New Zealand should continue to bar nuclear weapons or nuclear powered vessels from our shores and should not have nuclear power within New Zealand. I also believe that New Zealand should be at the forefront of efforts to stop nuclear weapons proliferation.

2. What is your personal opinion on the issues?

I believe that nuclear power has no role in the energy future of New Zealand and campaigners must stay vigilant to ensure that neither nuclear weapons nor nuclear power are brought to New Zealand. Having had contacts with people exposed to radioactive material, and having seen how this can destroy a healthy life, I believe that it is a technology best left out of New Zealand.

3. Should New Zealand consider using nuclear power of any form?

No we should not. We are in an envious position internationally, where we have ample electivity production, primarily through renewable sources, so have no need like France to produce electricity through nuclear generation. Nuclear energy cannot be separated from nuclear weapons; we are safest being nuclear free.

4. Can New Zealand influence the rest of the world on nuclear issues? If so

Yes we can. That was why the U.S. reacted with such fury at New Zealand we refused nuclear warships from entering our shores. The U.S were not concerned per-se of NZ stopping their ships, rather from the example we would set to the world, that nuclear weapons are not inevitable or desirable.

5. Do you think there is still a general anti-nuclear outlook amongst New Zealanders?

Yes I believe it is. The latest election proved that. Twenty years on, and our nuclear free status, and its role within the break-up of the ANZUS alliance is still being discussed at election time. Polls continually show that New Zealanders are proud of their nuclear free legislation and want it to continue.

6. At this time, how important is it that New Zealand remains nuclear free?

Very important. More and more countries are going to or have joined the nuclear weapons club (such as North Korea, Israel, Pakistan, India, Iran); this drastically heightens the Worlds risk for nuclear war. In 1991 it was thought the World was moving back from the pr4cipice of nuclear destruction, however with increased proliferation, the threat does not have nor decreased, it has increased.

A secondary issue is that nuclear waste is shipped through our territory, or nearby (shipments of nuclear fuels from France and to Japan and vice versa- for reprocessing), in the Tasman Sea. This is a risk to New Zealand both in terms of our safety but also as a terrorist risk. The companies involved have not been honest in the past in regards to their safety records and this is a clear threat that the NZ government needs to oppose.

7. What part does today’s New Zealand youth play in the nuclear issues? (For
now and the future?)

An important role. Many are too young to remember the nuclear ship protests, David Lange’s Oxford debate, the signing of the nuclear free legislation or the ANZUS break-up. These were important points in New Zealand's history and need to be remembered. New Zealand’s youth need to continue that work, and encourage other countries to go nuclear free and oppose nuclear weapons in all its forms.

8. Could NZ maintain our "clean, green" image AND integrate nuclear power?

It depends who you talk to. An eminent scientist like James Lovelock (founder of the Gaia theory) believes so. However whilst nuclear power does not produce carbon dioxide which alters the world's climate -which is with out a doubt the most pressing issue facing humanity it does not mean that nuclear power is green. Firstly our nuclear free status is one of the foundations of our clean and green view, taking that away, weaken that part of New Zealand. Secondly nuclear power is not green. It produces massive amounts of radioactive waste that stays dangerous far longer than a humans life, has safety risks for workers and people living nearby, has massive safety risks of meltdowns that can affect whole societies, there is still the problem of how do you shut down a nuclear power station, the inevitable link between nuclear power fuel and nuclear weapons, the risk of terrorism the damaging affects of nuclear fuel mining. Lastly it is too expensive for New Zealand and only operates internationally thanks to massive government sponsored subsidies

9. Where can you see New Zealand’s nuclear policies heading in the future?

I think New Zealand will continue on its current path as a world leader in non-proliferation.

10. How has New Zealand’s' nuclear free identity evolved since the 1970's in
your view?

It now is a core and defining feature of New Zealand international persona, it is also how New Zealanders see us in relation to the world. We like to think of ourselves as world leaders as pioneers, we also like to think that we are fair, go for the underdog and ethical. Those values are still in existence today amongst the next generation.