Nuclear Waste record

The anti-nuclear movement was well supported by musicians. The New Zealand reggae band Herbs composed several protest songs against French nuclear weapon testing in French Polynesia, including ‘Nuclear Waste’, ‘French Letter’, ‘No Nukes’, ‘Light of the Pacific’ (the ‘light’ being radioactive). Reggae lyrics have often addressed political issues – their hard-hitting messages being 'sweetened' by the beats and swing of the music.

‘French Letter’ was released in 1982 and became a popular hit and protest anthem. However, the name was considered too risque for radio, and the track was renamed ‘Letter to France’. The band re-released the track in 1995 when France briefly resumed testing.

The Herbs explored other important political issues in their lyrics including Māori land rights, most notably the occupation of Takaparawhau (Bastion Point).