Celebrations are under way to mark the 20th anniversary of Christchurch’s status as a nuclear free city.

The decision in March 1982 made Christchurch the country’s first city to become nuclear-free. It was followed by other cities and in 1987 a law was passed by Parliament declaring New Zealand nuclear free.

Already this month a commemoration of the peace achievements of Christchurch over the last 20 years has taken place. Organised and co-sponsored by The Peace Foundation and the City Council,it was an opportunity for those involved to tell their stories and add to a collection of memorabilia.

It was combined with the opening of the Hiroshima Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition at Canterbury Museum. It depicts the consequences of the bombings from 1945 through to international peace initiatives of today and runs until 21 April.

For information about the free exhibition, call the Museum on 366 5000