Leslie Massey
There have been several proposals for New Zealand to become a state of Australia, with some arguing that the two countries should unite to become one country. In 2006, an Australian Federal Parliamentary Committee recommended that the two countries pursue a full union or adopt a common ANZ currency and more common markets. In 2011, the Join Australia Movement Party in New Zealand advocated for political unity between the two countries. Despite these proposals, there are still barriers to a complete union, including two currencies, two national social security regimes, and two national parliamentary systems. Additionally, some people argue that the individual identities of Australians and New Zealanders are an impediment to full unification. Others point to the strong ties between the two countries, including economic, cultural, and migration linkages, as reasons for a closer relationship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Economic benefits | 500,000 New Zealanders live in Australia and 60,000 Australians live in New Zealand as of 2013 |
| Cultural links | Both countries have multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies |
| Defence links | N/A |
| Migration links | One million Australians visit New Zealand each year and nearly one million New Zealanders visit Australia each year |
| Governmental links | Two national parliamentary systems and administrations |
| People-to-people links | 73,000 people of Maori descent live in Australia and roughly 500 Australian Aborigines live in New Zealand |
| Identity | Australians and New Zealanders are proud of their individual identities |
| Political feasibility | The Join Australia Movement Party in New Zealand advocated for political unity in 2011, but dissolved the same year |
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What You'll Learn
Economic benefits
Australia and New Zealand have a long history of close economic relations. Both countries share a British colonial heritage and were once part of the same Colony of New South Wales. In 1983, they signed the Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA), which has been described as a major turning point in their economic integration. The agreement aimed to eliminate barriers to trade and allow each country access to the other's markets. Two-way trade between the two countries was NZ$26.2 billion in 2017-18, and two-way investment between them was worth more than $194 billion in 2019.
The close economic ties between Australia and New Zealand have been further strengthened by the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement and the Closer Defence Relations agreement signed in 1990. There is also a significant movement of people between the two countries, with around 500,000 New Zealanders living in Australia and 60,000 Australians living in New Zealand as of 2013. Additionally, one million Australians visit New Zealand each year, and nearly one million New Zealanders visit Australia.
Given the already close economic integration, there are potential economic benefits to further unification. For example, it has been proposed that the two countries could adopt a common currency, which could reduce investment costs and increase the ease of doing business across the Tasman. A common currency could also be a symbol of the independence of the unified nation, as the right to mint money is an important aspect of national sovereignty.
Furthermore, a unified Australia-New Zealand country would have a stronger global presence and could potentially attract more foreign investment. The combined country would have a larger population, which could lead to increased economic productivity and a larger consumer market. Additionally, the two countries could further align their regulations and institutions, reducing costs and increasing efficiency for businesses and people operating in the region.
However, it is important to note that there are also potential challenges and concerns associated with the proposal of unification. While economic ties are strong, there are cultural differences and disparities in constitutions and political rights that could lead to conflict. The preservation of identity is also a significant factor, with both countries proud of their unique histories and multicultural societies.
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Historical context
The idea of Australia and New Zealand becoming one country is not a new concept. There have been several proposals for New Zealand to become the seventh state of Australia, with the first dating back to the 19th century. In 1899, a decision was made to unite Australia's six colonies, and New Zealand was one of the colonies asked to join in the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia.
However, in 1901, New Zealand turned down federation with Australia, valuing its independence. The Premier at the time, Richard Seddon, was confident that New Zealand would not be threatened by the Commonwealth and believed that New Zealand could neutralise any threat posed by a larger neighbour by building up its own empire in the South Pacific. Seddon set up a Royal Commission in 1900 to gauge public opinion, and while most submissions opposed union with Australia, many farmers were in favour due to potential trade barriers.
Despite this initial rejection, the discussion of a potential union between the two countries has persisted. In 2006, an Australian Federal Parliamentary Committee recommended that the two nations pursue a full union or, at the very least, adopt a common currency and more common markets. The Committee acknowledged the strong ties between the two countries, including economic, cultural, migration, defence, and people-to-people linkages.
In 2011, the Join Australia Movement Party in New Zealand briefly advocated for political unity with Australia. More recently, in 2023, Labour MP Jamie Strange suggested that New Zealanders "shouldn't rule... out" becoming one country with Australia, citing potential economic benefits and the strong family connections between the two nations.
However, some argue that the question of identity and the desire to preserve individual national identities may be an impediment to full unification. Both countries take pride in their unique multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies, which include Indigenous people, Europeans, and a growing Asiatic population. Additionally, there are still several societal barriers to a complete union, including different currencies, social security regimes, and parliamentary systems.
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Political unity
In 2006, an Australian Federal Parliamentary Committee recommended that the two countries pursue a full union or, at the very least, adopt a common ANZ currency and more common markets. The Committee acknowledged the strong ties between the two nations, including economic, cultural, migration, defence, governmental, and people-to-people linkages. However, the idea of a common currency was "not on the agenda" according to the Australian Treasurer Peter Costello and the New Zealand Minister of Finance Michael Cullen.
The discussion of political unity resurfaced in 2011 with the emergence of the Join Australia Movement Party in New Zealand, which advocated for political unity between the two countries. However, the party dissolved the same year, indicating a lack of widespread support for the idea. In recent years, some politicians, such as Labour MP Jamie Strange, have suggested that New Zealanders "shouldn't rule out" becoming one country with Australia, citing potential economic benefits and improved quality of living for people on both sides of the Tasman.
Despite these proposals, there are significant barriers to political unity. One of the main obstacles is the question of identity. Both Australians and New Zealanders take pride in their individual identities and believe they are distinct from each other. Additionally, there are practical challenges, such as the existence of two separate currencies, social security regimes, parliamentary systems, and administrations.
While there may be benefits to political unity, it is important to consider the potential challenges and the desire of the people in both countries. As of 2023, a former Australian deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, acknowledged that such a change was unlikely to ever take place.
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Cultural identity
The prospect of Australia and New Zealand becoming one country raises several cultural identity questions. Both nations have unique identities that they are proud of and reluctant to lose. This is further complicated by the indigenous populations of each country, the Maori in New Zealand and the Aborigines in Australia, who together make up a significant percentage of each country's population. There are already many family connections between the two nations, with around 500,000 New Zealanders living in Australia and 60,000 Australians living in New Zealand as of 2013.
The two countries also have a lot of cultural similarities. Both are multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies, including Indigenous people, Europeans, and a rapidly growing Asiatic population. There is a massive overlap in their histories, with both being English-speaking colonies in the nineteenth century and holding up racial barriers to immigration. They also have a shared interest in sports, with many international competitions, such as the Cricket World Cup and the Rugby World Cup, featuring teams from both nations.
Despite these similarities, there are also some cultural differences between the two countries. For example, New Zealand has a higher proportion of people of Maori descent than Australia has of Aboriginal descent, and New Zealand has a higher proportion of people born outside the country. Additionally, the two countries have different approaches to some social issues, such as Australia's controversial treatment of its indigenous Aborigine people, which has been a factor in New Zealand's decision not to pursue a political union.
The question of cultural identity is a significant factor in the debate over whether Australia and New Zealand should become one country. Some people argue that the two countries already share many cultural similarities and that a political union would not significantly impact their unique identities. Others argue that the cultural differences between the two countries are too great to overcome and that a political union would threaten their sense of national identity.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to become one country or not will have a significant impact on the cultural identity of both nations. While there are already many cultural similarities between the two countries, there are also unique aspects of each nation that would be lost or diluted in a political union. The question of how to preserve and respect the indigenous cultures of each country, especially in the context of their shared history of colonialism, would also need to be carefully considered.
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Social integration
The idea of Australia and New Zealand becoming one country has been proposed multiple times, with some arguing that the two nations already share a "single community with internally shared values and aspirations". The countries have strong ties in terms of economics, culture, migration, defence, government, and people-to-people linkages. There are around 500,000 New Zealanders living in Australia and 60,000 Australians living in New Zealand. Additionally, one million Australians visit New Zealand each year, and nearly one million New Zealanders visit Australia.
However, the main barriers to a complete union are predominantly societal. Australia and New Zealand have two currencies, two national social security regimes, two national parliamentary systems, and two administrations. These differences present challenges to achieving full social integration between the two countries.
Furthermore, the question of identity is a significant factor in the debate. Both Australians and New Zealanders take pride in their unique cultures and histories, which include Indigenous people, Europeans, and a growing Asiatic population. The Maori represent about 14.6% of New Zealand's population, while the Aborigines constitute about 2.4% of Australia's population. While there is significant movement and interaction between the two countries, some argue that the distinct identities of each country may be an obstacle to full unification.
Additionally, historical factors have played a role in shaping the relationship between the two countries. In the late 19th century, both Australia and New Zealand participated in colonial conferences and discussed the possibility of federation. However, New Zealand ultimately decided against joining the Australian federation in 1901, with Premier Richard Seddon preferring to maintain New Zealand's independence.
Despite these challenges, some politicians and commentators continue to propose closer ties or even unification between the two countries. The potential benefits of unification include increased economic prosperity and improved quality of life for people on both sides of the Tasman Sea. However, as of 2023, the idea of a complete union between Australia and New Zealand does not appear to have gained widespread public acceptance beyond the current extent of free trade and open borders.
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Frequently asked questions
There could be major economic benefits, as well as benefits from having a shared currency, more common markets, and open borders. There are already many family connections between the two nations, with around 500,000 New Zealanders living in Australia and 60,000 Australians living in New Zealand as of 2013.
Some believe that the question of identity is the single most important factor that prevents the unification of the two countries. Australians and New Zealanders are proud of their individual identities and believe they are very different from each other.
While there have been several proposals for New Zealand to become the seventh state of Australia, the odds of this happening are slim. In 1901, New Zealand turned down federation with Australia, and in 2023, a former Australian deputy prime minister acknowledged that such a change was unlikely to ever take place.
The remaining barriers are predominantly societal. Australia and New Zealand have two currencies, two national social security regimes, two national parliamentary systems, and two administrations.
In 2012, the Lowy Institute conducted a poll asking Australians and New Zealanders whether they thought joining to become a single country would be good for both countries, good for one but bad for the other, or bad for both countries. The results of this poll are not publicly available, however, it indicates that this question has been considered by both countries' populations.
