Australian nuclear submarines will be banned from New Zealand waters: Ardern

AFP | Washington   

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

New Zealand will not lift a decades-long ban on nuclear-powered vessels entering its waters in the wake of key ally Australia’s decision to develop a nuclear submarine fleet, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday.

Ardern said her Australian counterpart Scott Morrison had briefed her on Canberra’s plan to develop nuclear-powered submarines with the help of the United States and Britain.

She described the deal as “primarily around technology and defence hardware”, playing down implications for the so-called “Five Eyes” partnership of the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

“This arrangement in no way changes our security and intelligence ties with these three countries, as well as Canada,” the New Zealand leader said in a statement.

But she also said New Zealand would maintain a ban on nuclear-powered vessels that dates back to 1985, meaning Wellington will not allow the prized naval asset being developed by Australia into its waters.

“New Zealand’s position in relation to the prohibition of nuclear-powered vessels in our waters remains unchanged,” Ardern said