28916 (2026). Hon Damien O'Connor to the Minister of Defence

Written Question

Published date: 02 Jul 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	28916 (2026)
Question asked:	17 Jun 2026
Member asking:	Hon Damien O'Connor
Portfolio:	Minister of Defence
Minister replying:	Hon Chris Penk
Answer received:	25 Jun 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_28916_2026
Document guid:	d037c972-1cf6-4a92-9cc9-485619877f9b

28916 (2026). Hon Damien O'Connor to the Minister of Defence: What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the application of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987 to any visit to, or transit through, New Zealand waters or ports by nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed vessels, including any vessels associated with AUKUS?

Hon Chris Penk: A routine submission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Prime Minister, advised on the application of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987 in relation to the visit of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force vessel JS Kumano. This ship was neither nuclear-powered nor nuclear-armed, and therefore the core prohibitions and requirements of the Act were not engaged in this instance.