New Zealand Approves First Visit By US Warship In Decades Tuesday Oct 18,2016

The US destroyer Sampson has been cleared to dock next month in New Zealand, the first visit by a US warship since the Pacific nation passed anti-nuclear legislation 30 years ago.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is expected to attend the Royal New Zealand Navy's 75th anniversary celebrations from November 17 to 22, after Prime Minister John Key approved the visit.

Under New Zealand's nuclear-free legislation, the prime minister can only grant approval if he is satisfied any foreign military ship entering New Zealand is not nuclear-armed.

"I have granted this approval after careful consideration of the advice provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade," Prime Minister John Key said on Tuesday Oct 18,2016