New Zealands Search for Security: 1945-1972

In the period between 1945 and 1954 New Zealand's Foreign affairs were at a turning point. We could no longer depend on Britain for our defence, and the Cold war between U.S.S.R and the United States was threatening a global nuclear war. New Zealand needed allies, and wanted collective security.

Collective security was the idea of a defence system based on countries helping one another in time of need. New Zealand has entered into a variety of collective security organisations. For example, the South East Asia Treaty Organisation . Over the years, New Zealand has sent assistance under these treaties and by requests from organisations.

In 1945, the United Nations Organisation was formed. Its purpose was to provide a forum in which to discuss problems in a general assembly and supply peace-keeping forces provided by members to help any member country if attacked. A Security Council was established for emergencies, which could decide for quick action to be taken; and had the po

New Zealand was asked to provide assistance in the Vietnam War by SEATO, but also were somewhat pressured by the United States. Wanting to preserve trade and defence links with the US; New Zealand sent 3890 troops over the period between 1962 and 1972, as well as engineers and surgeons.

In the 1950's the ANZAM agreement between Australia, New Zealand and Malaya was formed. Its policies were to defend Malaya from communist uprisings. In 1957, the ANZAM agreement was modified in to the AMDA (Anglo-Malayan Defence Arrangement) when Malaya became Malaysia.

The Korean war began in 1950, and carried on until 1953. The UNO security council agreed to send aid to South Korea. New Zealand, as requested by the UNO, sent troops in the form of two frigates and a total of approximately 1600 men, nicknamed the "K-force". Subsequently, the UNO and South Korean troops and the Chinese and North Korean armies came to a stalemate. An Armistice agreement was reached between North and South Korea in 1953, and Korea was divided along a cease

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