Security pact exposes New Zealand’s nuclear divideThe Guardian, CHRISTCHURCH, New ZealandNew Zealand is not part of a new security pact between Australia, the UK and the US, in what experts say is an illustration of the distance between the country and its traditional allies. On Wednesday, Australia, the UK and the US announced a security partnership, AUKUS, aimed at confronting China, which is to include helping Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. New Zealand’s longstanding nuclear-free policy also means that Australian submarines developed under the deal are banned from New Zealand waters. “New Zealand’s position in relation to the prohibition of nuclear-powered vessels in our waters remains unchanged,” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday. The new agreement “in no way changes our security and intelligence ties with these three countries, as well as Canada,” Ardern said.

Source: Taipei Times September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC