| Archive - these pages are part of the continuing record of Executive Government - for the current Administration, see www.beehive.govt.nz |
| On 11 September 1995, New Zealand went to the World Court to argue for an end to France's testing of nuclear weapons at Mururoa Atoll.
It is not the first time New Zealand has tried through legal means to end the tests. In 1974, a legal challenge to France resulted in that country's abandonment of atmospheric testing at Mururoa. The tests, however, far from ending, went underground. Again this year, New Zealand tried through the World Court to oppose them. |
| A brief history of New Zealand's legal bid at the World Court over nuclear testing. |
| Attorney General, Paul East's legal argument to the Court outlining New Zealand's case against the French testing. |
| A brief summary of the legal arguments put before the Court and the judgement. |
| In November 1995, New Zealand returned to the International Court of Justice to contribute to the action by the World Health Assembly and the United Nations General Assembly, for advisory opinions on the threat or use of nuclear weapons. |
| Opening Statement by Attorney General, Paul East. |
| Statement by Allan Bracegirdle, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand. |
| Closing Statement by Attorney General, Paul East |