I think there is still a fair bit of that martial spirit in New Zealand—you can see it on the rugby field—but it is far diminished from what it once was.
Kiwis were also extremely "empire-pilled" and that did not really die until Britain kicked us in the teeth by ditching our trade agreement in '71 to join the European Economic Community instead. Although the invention of nylon carpets in the '50s was a big economic blow too, that forced us to start looking harder at markets other than Britain to earn foreign currency.
Lack of Kvetch response or even like to my earlier comment has dissuaded me from commenting furtherr. I cannit deny as much. This boy now feels obliged to "pull his head in"
> "In 1980, New Zealand worked with Australia and the US to bring down the Marxist government of the New Hebrides."
I'm trying to verify this sentence and it doesn't seem to check out. No government was brought down except a breakaway island that was backed (in secret) by the French government and an American libertarian group. The major players were Britain, France, Australia, and especially Papua New Guinea, but perhaps New Zealand and America were involved in the background?
It is unclear to me which side were the Marxists but it's possible the intervention was to *support* the "Marxist" government rather than bring it down. And if it's hard to tell which side were Marxist then it was probably neither, because if there is one thing you can be sure about Marxists it's that they'll tell you about it!
> When the New Hebrides Islands became the independent nation of Vanuatu in 1980, New Zealand worked closely with the United States and Australia to bring down a Marxist government and to keep the Soviet Union, Libya, and Cuba at a distance.12
Indeed you did.
I followed the references and I believe it comes from this passage in *Interdependence and Foreign Policy: New Zealand in the World* by Malcolm McKinnon:
> But the main concern was always outside powers, in particular the Soviet Union, later Libya, especially in respect of Vanuatu, the former New Hebrides, which became independent in 1980. It was a new kind of independence because it was partly the result of a nationalist movement which, unlike the Samoan movement, developed and achieved its objective in a contested political climate.28 The 1981 Forum discussed Solomon Islands concern that the Soviet Union intended to proceed with a marine survey institute in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu waters contrary to the expressed stand of the Solomon Islands government. The Forum supported Solomon Islands opposition to the Soviet plan and praised its decision not to offer the Soviet vessel assistance and facilities. The Forum further welcomed the alternative offer made by New Zealand, Australia and the United States to undertake a geophysical and oceanographic survey and research programme in the region.29
My reading is that there was never concern about Marxism in the Pacific, it was about Soviet activities in general and a minor bit of diplomacy and technical aid undid the whole thing.
“Are you here for the Sport?” That line cracked me, great series!
"Wing-Commander Henry Ramsbottom-Isherwood", definitely on the shortlist of names if I ever have another son.
Hell ye
It seems like the Māori rubbed off on them
Anglos were made tough
The tough Anglos seem to have vacated the home island
“After the war… Rommel and Mellenthin wrote of Freyberg with respect and even affection..."
I'm pretty sure Rommel didn't do much writing after the war.
Thank you for the correction!
I think there is still a fair bit of that martial spirit in New Zealand—you can see it on the rugby field—but it is far diminished from what it once was.
Kiwis were also extremely "empire-pilled" and that did not really die until Britain kicked us in the teeth by ditching our trade agreement in '71 to join the European Economic Community instead. Although the invention of nylon carpets in the '50s was a big economic blow too, that forced us to start looking harder at markets other than Britain to earn foreign currency.
Lack of Kvetch response or even like to my earlier comment has dissuaded me from commenting furtherr. I cannit deny as much. This boy now feels obliged to "pull his head in"
> "In 1980, New Zealand worked with Australia and the US to bring down the Marxist government of the New Hebrides."
I'm trying to verify this sentence and it doesn't seem to check out. No government was brought down except a breakaway island that was backed (in secret) by the French government and an American libertarian group. The major players were Britain, France, Australia, and especially Papua New Guinea, but perhaps New Zealand and America were involved in the background?
It is unclear to me which side were the Marxists but it's possible the intervention was to *support* the "Marxist" government rather than bring it down. And if it's hard to tell which side were Marxist then it was probably neither, because if there is one thing you can be sure about Marxists it's that they'll tell you about it!
I stole that from Fischer I believe. Claude also disagreed with it and I didn't deep dive... sounds messy!
> When the New Hebrides Islands became the independent nation of Vanuatu in 1980, New Zealand worked closely with the United States and Australia to bring down a Marxist government and to keep the Soviet Union, Libya, and Cuba at a distance.12
Indeed you did.
I followed the references and I believe it comes from this passage in *Interdependence and Foreign Policy: New Zealand in the World* by Malcolm McKinnon:
> But the main concern was always outside powers, in particular the Soviet Union, later Libya, especially in respect of Vanuatu, the former New Hebrides, which became independent in 1980. It was a new kind of independence because it was partly the result of a nationalist movement which, unlike the Samoan movement, developed and achieved its objective in a contested political climate.28 The 1981 Forum discussed Solomon Islands concern that the Soviet Union intended to proceed with a marine survey institute in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu waters contrary to the expressed stand of the Solomon Islands government. The Forum supported Solomon Islands opposition to the Soviet plan and praised its decision not to offer the Soviet vessel assistance and facilities. The Forum further welcomed the alternative offer made by New Zealand, Australia and the United States to undertake a geophysical and oceanographic survey and research programme in the region.29
My reading is that there was never concern about Marxism in the Pacific, it was about Soviet activities in general and a minor bit of diplomacy and technical aid undid the whole thing.
Thank you sir 🫡