17 May 2017

30th Anniversary of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Nuclear-Free Zone
Auckland Public Event with Mayor For Peace - Phil Goff

Thirty years ago the Nuclear-Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987 became statute.

To mark the staying power of this important legislation that was established so that Aotearoa New Zealand became a nuclear-free zone, national peace events are being organised throughout this year.

“Aotearoa New Zealand - this plucky little nation stood up for the highest principles of peace. It said ‘no’ to nuclear weapons – and was the first advanced country to do so and inspired many across the world. It is a huge global milestone that needs to be celebrated” said Christopher Le Breton, Peace Foundation General Manager.

On Sunday 11 June, from 12.00 midday to 2pm in Auckland, The Peace Foundation is organising a public peace event at the Auckland Domain with an unveiling of a plaque by Mayor Phil Goff, one of more than 7000 ‘Mayors for Peace’ globally who are committed to the abolition of nuclear weapons.

The Mayor will unveil a peace plaque beside a pohutukawa tree, in honour of Nuclear-Free New Zealand and those who work for peace.

Organisers expect significant public support at the Auckland rally – the first of its kind for many younger people.

People from all walks of life are joining together to form a giant human peace symbol as happened in 1983. Its intention is to convey a unified message of world peace supporting a world free of nuclear weapons.

The stakes could not be higher, as weapons of mass destruction,particularly nuclear and electronic have proliferated, and present serious threats to the community of life on Earth. To achieve peace on Earth we need treaties to ban all these weapons.

The 1987 act sends a clear message for the success of the United Nations Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty in June. This will be a first step to banning other weapons.

[ENDS]

© Scoop Media