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New Zealand and the United States continue to have strong ties despite some differences. These close ties are based on shared cultural traditions and values. Differences between the United States and New Zealand emerged in the mid-1980s over New Zealand’s policy to ban nuclear-armed and nuclear-powered ships from its ports. This led to a de facto split between the United States and New Zealand within the context of the Australia-New Zealand-United States (ANZUS) alliance. Despite this issue, New Zealand is a regular contributor to international peace operations and has contributed troops to the war against terror in Afghanistan and to assist reconstruction efforts in Iraq.