Party policies: Nuclear ships ban

Retain ban on nuclear weapons and nuclear propulsion: Labour, Greens, United Future, Progressives, Maori Party

Support current policy but would consider a referendum: NZ First

No change without a clear mandate through a referendum or election promise: National

Allow visits by nulcear-propeled but not nuclear-armed ships: Act


HOW COUNTRIES COMPARE

New Zealand:
Declared itself nuclear-free two decades ago and a 1987 law means neither warships carrying nuclear weapons nor nuclear-propelled ships can visit. Conventional warships can visit, and have from nuclear powers such as Britain and France.

Denmark:
Maintains its nuclear-free status through policy rather than legislation. The United States has not changed its 'neither confirm nor deny' policy but complies with Danish wishes by choosing to send conventionally powered ships.

Japan:
Bans nuclear weapons from its territories but visits by nuclear-propelled US ships and submarines have occurred under the neither confirm nor deny policy and remain controversial. Kobe port became nuclear-free 30 years ago and the US stopped sending ships there.

Australia:
A major exporter of uranium,continues to allow nuclear-shipvisits and preserves its role in Anzus. Previous Governments have flirted with bans, but have backed away under US and British pressure.