Independent State of Aramoana

Independent State of Aramoana

Infobox Micronation
fullName = Independent State of Aramoana
shortName = Aramoana
status =
flag

second

secondImageType = Seal
motto =
englishMotto =
capital =
anthemName =
anthemComposer =
location =
areaClaimed =
ethnicgroups =
purpOrgStruct =
leadership =
foundationDate = December 23, 1980
areaClaimed =
membership =
language = English
purpCurrency = New Zealand Dollar
currencycode =
footnotes =
demonym =
gdp =
timezone =
The Independent State of Aramoana was a micronation that existed in New Zealand during the early 1980s.

It was founded in response to a plan by a consortium composed of New Zealand-based Fletcher Challenge, Australia's CSR Limited and Swiss firm Alusuisse to build a large aluminium smelting facility in an environmentally sensitive area known as Aramoana at the head of Otago Harbour, near Dunedin, on New Zealand's South Island.

The smelter plan called for the destruction of the villages of Aramoana and Te Ngaru, and also threatened a local wildlife reserve. In response to this the residents of the area duly announced their secession from New Zealand on 23 December, 1980, established a "border post" and "travelling embassy", printed passports, citizenship certificates and stamps, and set about using the resultant publicity to build a national grassroots campaign in opposition to the smelter.

The consortium was strongly endorsed by the New Zealand Government, which initially proposed to subsidise the cost of electricity required for the smelter's operation, leading to fears that the wider population of New Zealand would be faced with significant electricity price hikes in the longer term. However, the campaign waged by Aramoana and its supporters eventually forced a Government backdown, calling into question the economic viability of the project.

This development combined with declining aluminium prices on world commodity markets, eventually led to the withrawal of Alusuisse from the consortium in October, 1981. The remaining partners failed to secure additional investment capital, and eventually abandoned the project, paving the way for the peaceful reintegration of the Independent State of Aramoana back into New Zealand.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Aramoana — Location map New Zealand label=Aramoana lat dir=S | lat deg=45 | lat min=47 lon dir=E | lon deg=170 | lon min=42 position=right width= 150 float=right caption=Aramoana, also known as The Spit to locals, is a small coastal settlement, 27… …   Wikipedia

  • List of micronations — The Principality of Sealand, a micronation. Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are small, self proclaimed entities that …   Wikipedia

  • Republicanism in New Zealand — is a movement to change the country s current status as a Commonwealth realm and constitutional monarchy to that of a Commonwealth republic. New Zealand public opinion is split between those who support the monarchy, and those who support a… …   Wikipedia

  • Micronation — This article is about entities that are not officially recognized by world governments or major international organisations. For information on countries that are generally recognized but geographically small, see microstate. The Principality of… …   Wikipedia

  • Timeline of environmental history of New Zealand — This is a timeline of environmental history of New Zealand. These events relate to the more notable events affecting the natural environment of New Zealand as a result of human activity.: Pre 1800s 1800s 1830s 1840s 1850s 1860s 1870s 1890s 1900s… …   Wikipedia

  • Principality of Sealand — Sealand redirects here. For other uses, see Sealand (disambiguation). Principality of Sealand Micronation Flag …   Wikipedia

  • Principality of Hutt River — Micronation Flag Seal Motto: Dum …   Wikipedia

  • Freetown Christiania — Not to be confused with Christiania, Norway, another name for Oslo. Freetown Christiania Fristaden Christiania Micronation Flag …   Wikipedia

  • Republic of Molossia — For the ancient Epirote tribe of Molossia, see Molossians. Republic of Molossia Micronation Flag …   Wikipedia

  • How to Start Your Own Country — Created by Danny Wallace Presented by Danny Wallace Theme music composer Banks Wag Country of origin UK Language(s) Engl …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”