Anti-nuclear tribute idea gains support
Wainuiomata could be the home for a unique tribute to New Zealand’s anti nuclear movement.
Local activist Mike Grigg has suggested a peace flame to commemorate the third Labour government’s protest against French nuclear testing at Mururoa Atoll.
In 1973 the government sent two frigates to the test area, accompanied by Cabinet Minister Fraser Colman.
The gesture drew world-wide attention and helped galvanise the anti-nuclear movement in New Zealand.
Fraser Colman is still fondly remembered in Wainuiomata where he lived from 1959 until his death in 2008.
His wife, Noeline Colman, supported the idea of permanently recognising the protest. She wasn’t sure a peace flame was practical but was keen to see the idea discussed.
Hutt South MP Trevor Mallard held a similar view.
‘‘My gut reaction is that what Fraser did was an incredibly important part of our anti nuclear history.’’
Sending frigates signalled to the world we were serious in our anti nuclear stance, which ultimately led to the David Lange government’s anti nuclear legislation.
Colman lived most of his life in Wainuiomata and commemorating the 1973 protest there seemed appropriate, Mallard said.
‘‘I am certainly a supporter of something like that (a peace flame) but exactly what, I think we would need to talk about.’’
Noeline Colman still lives in the house the couple purchased in 1959 and is pleased her husband’s contribution to the anti nuclear movement could be recognised.
‘‘I am very proud of him, of course. It was a very interesting time in our life because we had newspapers from all around the world contacting us.’’
The 78-year-old is the patron of the Mururoa Nuclear Veterans Group. Crew on the frigates volunteered to go and watched two nuclear explosions.
Although they wore basic safety equipment, the dangers of being so close to a nuclear explosion were not fully understood in 1973.
In later years many developed illnesses they attributed to being exposed to nuclear testing.
Colman was keen to ensure that any debate over how to best commemorate the protest did not get confused with the veterans’ fight for compensation.
When the frigates left for Mururoa, the then Prime Minister Norman Kirk assured the sailors they would be safe. ‘‘None of them 43 years ago had any idea what would happen during the testing and how much they would be affected by it.’’
Fraser Colman had two severe strokes before he died. It had only become clear in recent years the carotid arteries, the main arteries that supply the brain, can be affected by exposure to nuclear material, she said.
Wainuiomata Community Board chairman Richard Sinnott took to Facebook to express his support for a peace flame.
‘‘I am keen to look at anything that talks to the history of our town, and the fantastic people that call it home.’’