Aucklanders celebrate anniversary of nuclear-free New Zealand

  • 11/06/2017

It's been 30 years since New Zealand became the first country in the world to declare itself Nuclear Free. 

On Sunday, hundreds formed a human peace symbol at the Auckland Domain, similar to the one made in 1983, in order to commemorate the anniversary of the passing of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act. 

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff was part of the David Lange-led Government who passed the anti-nuclear legislation in 1985. 

Mr Goff spoke at the event this afternoon as one of 7000 'Mayors for Peace' around the world who are calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons, and said the anniversary was a time to reflect on the horror of war and to learn lessons from the past. 

"New Zealand is proudly nuclear-free and we must continue to strive for a peaceful world free of nuclear arms," he said. 

The anniversary comes just days before a United Nations conference involving 132 countries which will negotiate a treaty to ban nuclear weapons. 

Newshub.