"This study follows the historty of the relationship between New Zealand and the Soviet Union, especially between the years 1950 and 1991. The emphasis ... is on the official, government to government, relations that defined the context and tone of political and commercial dealings between countries. These official relations, however, shed light on the unofficial relations and the book examines how trade union contacts, the intellectual-cultural climate, and pro- and anti-Soviet lobbies all impacted on the relationship."--Back cover.

By directly challenging existing accounts of post-World War II relations among the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, Divided Allies is a significant contribution to transnational and diplomatic history. At its heart, Divided Allies examines why strategic cooperation among these closely allied Western powers in the Asia-Pacific region was limited during the early Cold War. Thomas K. Robb and David James Gill probe the difficulties of security cooperation as the leadership of these four states balanced intramural competition with the need to develop a common strategy against the Soviet Union and the new communist power, the People's Republic of China. Robb and Gill expose contention and disorganization among non-communist allies in the early phase of containment strategy in Asia-Pacific. In particular, the authors note the significance of economic, racial, and cultural elements to planning for regional security and they highlight how these domestic matters resulted in international disorganization. Divided Allies shows that, amidst these contentious relations, the antipodean powers Australia and New Zealand occupied an important role in the region and successfully utilized quadrilateral diplomacy to advance their own national interests, such as the crafting of the 1951 ANZUS collective security treaty. As fractious as were allied relations in the early days of NATO, Robb and Gill demonstrate that the post-World War II Asia-Pacific was as contentious, and that Britain and the commonwealth nations were necessary partners in the development of early global Cold War strategy.

This unique volume seeks to offer an original collection of essays on the theme of America’s ‘special relationships’. The essays vary in their focus; some are primarily historical, some are more contemporary. All consider the quality of ‘specialness’ in the context of America’s relationship with particular countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Russia, Iran and Israel.

In 1900, a handful of New Zealand police detectives watched out for spies, seditionists and others who might pose a threat to state and society. The Police Force remained the primary instrument of such human intelligence in New Zealand until 1956 when, a decade into the Cold War, a dedicated Security Service was created. Over the same period, New Zealand' s role within signals intelligence networks evolved from the Imperial Wireless Chain to the UKUSA intelligence alliance (now known as Five Eyes).The first of two volumes chronicling the history of state surveillance in New Zealand, Secret History opens up the &‘ secret world' of security intelligence through to 1956. It is the story of the surveillers who &– in times of war and peace, turmoil and tranquillity &– monitored and analysed perceived threats to national interests. It is also the story of the surveilled: those whose association with organisations and movements led to their public and private lives being documented in secret files.Secret History explores a hidden and intriguing dimension of New Zealand history, one which sits uneasily with cherished national notions of an exceptionally fair and open society.

Fifteen writers with diverse personal and scholarly backgrounds come together in this collection to examine issues of identity, viewing it as both a departing point and end destination for the various peoples who have come to call New Zealand "home." The essays reflect the diversity of thinking about identity across the social sciences as well as common themes that transcend disciplinary boundaries. Their explorations of the process of identity-making underscore the historical roots, dynamism, and plurality of ideas of national identity in New Zealand, offering a view not only of what has been but also what might be on the horizon.

A major biography of Ken Douglas, the most powerful union leader in modern New Zealand history. Ken Douglas was raised in a hardworking, tough-talking, union-focussed Wellington family and got into union politics as a very young working man. Hard-nosed, pragmatic and never scared of a scrap, he rose through the ranks, got deeper into left-wing ideology and activity with his membership of the Socialist Unity Party, and ultimately became head of the FOL, and the most powerful unionist in the land. Depending on your politics, he was one of the most respected or the most hated men in the country; ironic then that in later years he was appointed to some of the country's most important boards. In this powerful biography, David Grant -- who had unprecedented access to Douglas -- explores the facets of this remarkable man, who was there during the union movement's most powerful days and watched its emasculation. It is a unique portrait of a unique New Zealander, whose life has been this country's times.

The Historical Dictionary of New Zealand, Fourth Edition provides a broad introduction to New Zealand, as well as rich detail about the people, events, laws, concepts, and institutions that have shaped New Zealand history. This is done through a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has more than 800 cross-referenced entries on important personalities as well as aspects of the country’s politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about New Zealand.

"This is the first interpretive study of New Zealand over the period 1935-1991. It is based on years of research but it is also an original and thought provoking work which consistently takes a broader view. Malcolm McKinnon looks critically at the idea of independence in New Zealand's foreign policy, exploring the way New Zealanders thought about independence as well as the kinds of independence most commonly pursued and their implications in practice. He considers economic as well as political international relations; and he does not limit himself to official sources -- New Zealand public opinion plays an important role. While the focus of the first part of the book is the Second World War, the later chapters give illuminating insights into some recent issues in New Zealand foreign policy, such as the Vietnam War, relations with South Africa and the Pacific, and the anti-nuclear movement." -- Back cover.

In 1984, the newly elected Labour Government's antinuclear policy collided with a United States foreign policy based on nuclear deterrence. After two years of angry meetings, fraught diplomacy, and free-wheeling press conferences, this outbreak of &“friendly fire&” led to the unraveling of the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS) military alliance, established in 1951. Based on previously classified government files in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom as well as interviews with key protagonists and the author's own involvement in events, this account tells the inside story of this dramatic confrontation. This is the definitive account of a key turning point in New Zealand history and a dramatic story of powerful personalities tackling critical questions on the world stage.

The definitive life story of New Zealand Prime Minister &“Kiwi&” Keith Holyoake is revealed in this deftly composed exploration of how one man was able to weather complex changes in society to stay in power for more than 11 years. Through his leadership in the 1960s to his position as Governor General in the late 1970s, Holyoake was often derided as pompous and unprincipled, but this biography demonstrates the astute understanding of people and political issues that allowed him to defuse division and preserve order while encouraging gradual and incremental progress. Holyoake's performance as Minister of Foreign Affairs is also examined, including his opposition to nuclear testing and his reluctant commitment to assisting the United States in Vietnam.