In a radio broadcast from 1965, Prime Minister Keith Holyoake explains the reasons for New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War.
"The serious situation in South Vietnam has brought home to all New Zealanders just how vitally we are concerned we are with events and issues in the whole of South-East Asia. I am keenly aware of how deeply disturbed everyone is- and must be, about this situation and the danger of it deteriorating still further.
In the last few days many people have expressed their disquiet to me through telegrams and petitions and letters and I've talked with citizens from all walks of life who feel deeply enough about these matters to approach me or to demonstrate their concern.
Naturally the issue which is of deepest concern for all of us is whether we should give further military assistance in South Vietnam in its bitter struggle for independence and freedom against this flagrant Communist aggression.
The Vietnam War is not a civil war, nor a popular uprising as some people are quite ready to assert. This is a cruel, vicious war. This ruthless campaign is being directed and supplied form Communist North Vietnam and openly supported by Communist China.
And let's get this fact crystal clear. The South Vietnamese people are fighting for their own freedom. They have an army of about a quarter of a million men and they have another quarter of a million men in local defence and the police force. Over half a million men altogether are fighting for their own freedom and they're supported by approximately 40,000 American troops. The point I want to make is this: America is not fighting this war FOR the South Vietnamese but WITH them, and at the request of their government.
Now there is criticism of America's increased military effort in South Vietnam recently. But let's not forget that Britain is standing alongside Malaysia for similar reasons with forces totalling about 50,000 men, more than America has in South Vietnam.
My last point is this - and don't let anyone have any doubts about it. If South Vietnam falls to the Communists, it will then be the turn of Thailand and Malaysia and every other smaller country in the area. In this eventuality the threat to New Zealand would be that much closer to home and if we are not prepared to play our part now, can we in good conscience expect our allies to help later on?
Now President Lyndon Johnson of the USA has emphasised many times that the United States wants an end to this war and he has offered to enter into discussions unconditionally with anybody, at any time and any place, without any preconditions. The Communists have called President's Johnson's offer a fraud and if so, why don't they test it? They have refused every opening and every offer for a negotiation. They've also repulsed attempts by the British Labour government and 17 other non-aligned nations to assist in finding a solution. The Communists clearly don't want a settlement, or a settlement which would permit South Vietnam to live in peace and independence. They are determined on conquest and are determined on imposing a Communist dictatorship on South Vietnam.
Communist terrorism must be halted. If a wider conflict in South-East Asia is to be avoided, then the lesson of history is clear: we must stand firm in support of small nations like South Vietnam and Malaysia.
Now New Zealand's vital interests are at stake in this war. The fate of South Vietnam will help to determine the fate of Malaysia, Thailand and other small nations of the area and New Zealand's security in the area is involved. The people of South Vietnam must be supported in their struggle against Communist aggression and we are determined to give support to those who desire to bring about negotiations and a peaceful settlement of this vital problem."