The U.S. military presence in New Zealand

The US Military Presence in New Zealand chronicles the development of US defence and defence-related facilities in New Zealand and opposition to them. It also examines the nuclear warship visits issue. Each chapter deals with a particular 'presence'. They examine how and why it was developed in New Zealand, and includes, where possible, an outline on the negotiations that took place between the US and New Zealand governments, and other parties. The reasons and motivation behind the opposition to each presence is examined. Government reaction and response to the vocal and usually well-informed protest movement is also reviewed. Finally, an assessment of the benefits of the presence to New Zealand is made. While a number of different themes emerge in each chapter the thesis arrives at a number of broad conclusions. The requests for New Zealand to host each presence were initiated by the US government to meet specific operational needs, or in the case of NPW visits for wider political and strategic concerns. New Zealand has received only marginal direct benefit from hosting each presence. The government tends to consider US requests sympathetically, and views New Zealand acceptance of such facilities and visits as benefiting our wider foreign policy interests, The differences that are apparent between government and non-government actors, and politicians, have resulted primarily from their differing perceptions of what course of action is in the best interests of New Zealand. However, the differences and misunderstandings that have arisen have been exacerbated by an unnecessarily uninformative government often ill-equipped to deal with the concerns that have arisen as a result of the US military presence and the general direction of New Zealand foreign policy