by Hannah Davis

Created on: November 22, 2009   Last Updated: November 23, 2009

Determining the safest places on Earth during nuclear wars

If a nuclear war was declared tomorrow, I'd feel completely safe in my present location. The small, beautiful North Island of New Zealand, or any part of New Zealand for that matter. My reason is not simply because I am a New Zealand citizen and international travel would falter in such a war. There are three key explanations for my choice.

The first, of course would be New Zealand's very public Anti Nuclear weapons stance. Without even a single Nuclear power plant, we are clearly no threat to any country who many engage in international nuclear war. With this in mind, targeting New Zealand would be virtually pointless. We are, to be honest, a harmless country and directing a nuclear attack at us would be a waste of resource.

Not only would it be a waste of resource but seeing as New Zealand is not a super power, there would be nothing to gain from targeting us. Unless that is, you really did not enjoy the lord of the rings trilogy.

Then there is our stance with the rest of the world to take into consideration. New Zealand has only suffered one serious terrorist attack in our history, the sinking of 'Rainbow Warrior', New Zealand Greenpeace ship. We are not known for our violence or active combat but regularly send troops on peace keeping missions to help repair damage to areas scarred by war.

It's fairly safe to say there would be nobody with a grievance against New Zealand so serious, that they would consider throwing a rock in our direction, let alone nuclear warfare. The only thing that could possibly make us a target would be our long standing alliance with the United Kingdom but then again, who picks on the little kid on the playground when they know they'll be dealt with by the child's elder Sister after school?

Considering both these things, it is logical to say New Zealand would not be the target of a nuclear attack, our only concern in such a war would be nuclear fallout. For anybody who hasn't seen a map in the last decade, New Zealand sits at the bottom of the world.

Tucked inbetween Australia and Antarctica, the term isolated springs to mind. Generally this makes life complicated, international travel takes longer and in the event of a natural disaster, it would be difficult for other countries to supply aid. When considering nuclear war however, we're in a prime location.

Sitting so far out of the way, and with such great distance between us and any country considered a superpower, practically eliminates any chance of nuclear fallout. Sure, we may have to endure a nuclear winter but we're made of pretty tough stuff down here.

So, in the event of a nuclear war I assure you, I'll be right here. Watching the rugby under the stars in a paddock full of sheep and eating fish and chips. If you can get on a plane, come visit; why not fear for your life somewhere beautiful?

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