There were many people and groups who opposed the anti-nuclear movement in New Zealand, and opposed what the Rainbow Warrior stood for and was trying to protest. Some of the opposition merely affected New Zealands ability to protest against nuclear testing, while other opposition caused major uproar, and the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior.
The French were by far the main opposition to New Zealand's nuclear-free efforts. As New Zealand, and more specifically, Greenpeace New Zealand focused much of its efforts in stopping French nuclear-testing in the Pacific, it was only a matter of time before the French decided to get back at New Zealand for the damage they caused to France's ability to conduct nuclear testing. An early example of this is discussed in the Actions Taken section of this website. This example is that of French actions towards David McTaggart in 1973. Here, the French showed some of their early anger and opposition toward New Zealand anti-nuclear protest when they boarded the Greenpeace Ship Vega and beat up crew member David McTaggart. Clearly sick of New Zealand's pestering and delaying their tests, French Commandos boarded the ship and took out their anger on McTaggart
This was a lot less severe than the main Action taken by the French opposition, which was the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior on the 10th of July, 1985. On the 10th of July, 1985, just before midnight, French DGSE (French Secret Service) agents positioned a limpet mine on the hull of the Rainbow Warrior. When this was set off, it tore a large hole in the hull of the ship, rendering it useless. This initial explosion was also meant to scare off anyone on board the ship, so that the second explosion would not kill anyone. But, after the first explosion, many photographers came back on board to photograph the explosion, as they did not expect a second one. When the second mine was detonated, photographer Fernando Pereira was caught in the explosion and killed. Initially, the French Government denied any knowledge of, or involvement in the event . But, due to a nationwide manhunt, two of the agents, Alain Mafart and Dominique Prieur, were caught. These were revealed to be French DGSE agents, and on the 22nd of September, 1985, French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius appeared on television and told a shocked public “Agents of the DGSE sank this boat, they acted on orders”. This caused nationwide outrage, as France was supposed to be an ally to New Zealand, and although the attack was aimed at Greenpeace, it was in New Zealand waters, so as far as the New Zealand public was concerned, it was an attack on New Zealand also.