The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior
- When
- 10 July 1985
- Where
- Marsden Wharf, Auckland · Tāmaki Makaurau
- Reach
- Several regions
French secret service agents sank the Greenpeace ship in Auckland Harbour, killing photographer Fernando Pereira. A friendly government had committed an act of state terrorism.
The Rainbow Warrior was preparing to lead a protest flotilla to Mururoa. Two DGSE agents were caught and convicted of manslaughter; France then threatened New Zealand’s access to European markets until they were transferred to a Pacific atoll, from which both were released early. The bombing hardened anti-nuclear opinion decisively and made the 1987 legislation politically unstoppable. France apologised and paid compensation in 1986.
Regions affected
Sources
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