From:
Climate Change Ministerials
To:
Ted Jamieson
Subject:
Nuclear power
Date:
Thursday, 3 October 2019 10:39:22 am
Hi Ted,
Here are some lines that may be helpful, these are from a 2010 speech by Pansy Wong.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/renewable-energy-core-option-low-carbon-society
And a speech by Georgina te Heuheu the same year:
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/nuclear-suppliers-group-plenary
There don’t seem to be any old ministerials that address nuclear power.
Cheers, Emily
 
Pansy Wong speech
In our view, the wider uptake of low carbon energy technologies is crucial to both future
security of supply and to address climate change concerns in the APEC region.  In that
sense, low carbon energy technology helps to address two key priorities of the APEC
Energy Working Group.  With regard to nuclear power as a low carbon energy option, we
continue to urge economies that have chosen this option to do so in conjunction with
robust proliferation, public safety and environmental safeguards.  This includes measures
to ensure the safe transportation and storage of nuclear waste.
In New Zealand's view, renewable energy sources are best placed to lead the way in the
development of low carbon energy technology in the future.  This is due to their generally
local availability and scope for ongoing technological development.
2010 speech by Georgina te Heuheu
 
New Zealanders feel passionately about nuclear disarmament and arms control.  These
convictions led to the passage of our nuclear weapons free legislation in 1987.  And they have
formed the basis of our engagement with multilateral disarmament processes ever since.
 
We have heard a lot in recent times about a "nuclear renaissance" - a renewed expansion of
nuclear power around the world.  It is a debate that is sometimes controversial, but wherever we
stand on it, we do insist that the development and use of nuclear energy should take place in the
best possible safety, security, waste management and non-proliferation conditions.  We do not
think that is too much to ask.  And that is where the NSG plays such an important role.

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