Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Media Statement
5 July 2002
Nuclear shipments not welcome near New Zealand
Foreign Minister, Phil Goff says New Zealand has strongly reiterated to the nuclear shipping states its opposition to
the shipment through the Pacific of mixed oxide (MOX) fuel from Japan to Britain.
Mr Goff said the message was delivered in response to advice that two British ships carrying MOX had left Japan for
Britain.
“We have advised both Britain and Japan of our opposition to such shipments through the Pacific.
“As in the past we have sought and received assurance that this shipment will not enter New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic
Zone, other than in a humanitarian emergency.
“These assurances have been honoured in the past. New Zealand has previously used and will again employ Orion
surveillance flights to verify this.
“While acknowledging the safeguards which have been put in place, these do not eliminate risks posed by accident or by
terrorist attacks.
“New Zealand has worked with its Pacific Forum partners and with other countries in international forums such as the
International Atomic Energy Agency to impose the maximum controls over such shipments.
“We will continue to insist on the highest possible safety standards and proper advance notification and consultation
with states in regions through which the shipments pass. New Zealand is also seeking for the transport states to accept
full responsibility and liability for compensation for any accident which may occur should this adversely affect another
state in any way.
“New Zealand will continue with these efforts and to insist that no shipment of nuclear fuel or waste should come within
its 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone,” Mr Goff said.
ENDS