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NZ frigates denied entry to Pearl Harbour

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NZ frigates denied entry to Pearl Harbour

3News NZ

New Zealand frigate HMNZS Te Kaha is in Hawaii for Rimpac (Reuters)

New Zealand frigate HMNZS Te Kaha is in Hawaii for Rimpac (Reuters)

By 3 News staff

Two New Zealand naval frigates have been denied entry to Pearl Harbour during the world's largest maritime exercise, because of our anti-nuclear legislation.

The Te Kaha and Endeavour are in Hawaii for the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac) - the first time in 28 years that New Zealand has been invited.

But they have been forced to berth in the tourist part of Honolulu port at Aloha Towers, Fairfax reports.

Prime Minister John Key told 3 News refusing entry to our ships was a longstanding US policy, put in place after New Zealand introduced nuclear-free legislation in 1987.

He says the refusal was expected, and it hasn't affected New Zealand’s participation in the military exercise.

A total of 350 New Zealand personnel are taking part in Rimpac and along with the two frigates, an autonomous underwater vehicle, and an air force P-3K Orion have been sent over.

The other 40 ships taking part in Rimpac are able to berth in Pearl Harbour.

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Comments

6/08/2012 12:28:22 p.m.

Rob Scheirlinck wrote:

Our country's finest lose life in the past and current theatres of war and sit together with the USA in making the World a safer place. The Japanese fleet, in these exercises were invited to berth in Pearl Harbour while the NZ Navy were sent away. Where is the honour in remembering the fallen?

29/07/2012 5:26:05 p.m.

uncle Mike wrote:

Do kiwis really believe that the rest of the world cares about our anti nuke policy? Look at what it has cost this country. No wonder our politicians from both major parties have been trying to fix that huge blunder of the 80's. "We stood up to the US" how stupid, they were our allies and we did the Soviets a huge favour. We should have joined the Soviet block then.....imagine if we did something like this during WWII. The US actually dropped two nukes then. It would have been stupid and insane and it was stupid and insane to do what we did in the 80's! Grow up New Zealand, live in the real world and stop thinking like we are so morally superior. Take a chill pill on your superiority complex.

11/07/2012 7:33:55 p.m.

Ben wrote:

Endeavour is not a frigate like the opening paragraph states.

10/07/2012 6:58:52 p.m.

Ben wrote:

JOE nailed this on the head, nuf said!

9/07/2012 12:02:43 a.m.

joe wrote:

The USA is just maintaining its policy regarding RNZN ships berthing in their ports, just as we are regarding USN ships in NZ ports. This all dates back to the 80's? in Langes Govt era. Remember NZ remains open to USN ships in NZ, however the welcome does not apply to nuclear powered vessels. Because the US has a niether confirm nor deny policy (re which ships are Nuke powered), they must forgoe the oportunity to visit NZ at their descretion. The two countries are acting smart to adhere to policy, yet still exercise/work together. I think NZs anti Nuclear stance was very couragouse and well ahead of its time. NZ led the world on this issue demonstrating disproportionatly large nuts for a tiny country.Our stance here should not change either as the principles behind it have not. Pity our huge nut sack was empty when the dirty French saboteurs Alain marfar and Dominic preur bombed the Rainbow warrior and killed a man in Auckland. But thats another story.....

5/07/2012 3:31:14 p.m.

Liz wrote:

America send death threats to David Lange back in the 80s and now we kiss arse. like little b****

5/07/2012 11:19:34 a.m.

Ryan wrote:

Kiwis shouldn't be upset or surprised by this. They should embrace the fact that after over 25 years America is still afraid of us. After all we are the only country to tell them no. I say they should enjoy their time in Hawaii and be proud to be Kiwi.

3/07/2012 7:07:16 p.m.

Grant wrote:

Very childish on the part of the American's....and quite counter-productive.I never was a supporter of NZ's anti-nuke policies,however snub's like this will only increase dislike towards the US.And its not hard to see why.

3/07/2012 6:58:39 p.m.

Just Me wrote:

More than 20 years ago Jamie Farr(from M*A*S*H)in a documentary on Project Bluebook(the UFO matter)called the USA as being the "Citadel of the Free World.."To this day the US is behaving in its usual bully boy tactics.For any democracy in the world to go against the so-called "democracy" of the US administration resulted in that democracy e.g NZ; being consigned to the Western Nations equivalent of Siberia. Perhaps the relocation of the NZ ships is a blessing in disguise.For all we know our sailours will be viewed as "over-paid,over-sexed and over here(Hawaii)."A nice bit of Karmic payback for trying to force NZ to obey the US commands in the mid 80s. Still could this be the excuse this National government needs to allow nuclear armed/nuclear powered warships no matter what country they are from to enter into NZ waters? When the French bombed the Rainbow Warrior both the US and the UK refused to offer any assistance.And the "Neither Confirm Nor Deny" approach indicated to further bully boy tactics by the US with the support of Margaret Thatchers government. For the US to behave like this shows they haven't really grown up or matured over the years.Not everyone in the world wants to be a part of the US.At least we NZers can proudly say we are the Mouse that Roared.One of Reagan's cronies said at the Great Oxford Debate that "not one American goes to bed at night with the fear of being nuked(his words)".After 11.9.11 I was in regular contact with an American woman who was scared stiff because of the Al Qaeda attacks.Such pig-headed words by the late Jerry Fairwell(surname most likely incorrectly spelt)at the Great Oxford Debate showed how poorly thought out his gloating on behalf of the American public he truly was.But he was only expressing those opinions stated by Ronald Reagan etc.

3/07/2012 6:52:37 p.m.

Brian wrote:

Rather ironic isn't it....the Japanese navy is allowed into Pearl Harbour while we are banished to the back waters...Hmmmm!