WELLINGTON, June 8 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand is celebrating its nuclear free legislation as government official made clear commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons.

    However, the country cannot yet celebrate the achievement of that goal, Disarmament and Arms Control Minister Phil Goff told a session of celebration Friday.

    New Zealand passed the New Zealand Nuclear Weapon Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act on June 8, 1987.

    Goff said New Zealanders could be proud of their country's activist stance and its role as a good international citizen in regard to disarmament and non-proliferation.

    New Zealand's Nuclear Weapon Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act effectively banned visits by nuclear-propelled and weapon-carrying ships.

    It led to New Zealand's suspension from the ANZUS defense pact grouping United States, Australia and New Zealand, but also came to define our "clean, green" image, said the minister.

    But Goff said the threat to the world of nuclear weapons grows as more countries acquire possession of them.

    He said New Zealand strongly opposes proliferation and participates actively in moves designed to prevent it.

    "On the twentieth anniversary of our nuclear free legislation, we urge the world to consider that warning and to commit themselves to making progress this year on both disarmament and non-proliferation initiatives," said Goff.