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What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the application of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987 to any visit to, or transit through, New Zealand waters or ports by nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed vessels, including any vessels associated with AUKUS?

Answered Question 28916 (2026)
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Asked by

Damien O'Connor

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the application of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987 to any visit to, or transit through, New Zealand waters or ports by nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed vessels, including any vessels associated with AUKUS?

Answered by

Hon Chris Penk

Member for Kaipara ki Mahurangi · National Party · Minister of Defence

Answer

A routine submission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Prime Minister, advised on the application of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987 in relation to the visit of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force vessel JS Kumano. This ship was neither nuclear-powered nor nuclear-armed, and therefore the core prohibitions and requirements of the Act were not engaged in this instance.