Talk:Australia-New Zealand relations

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[edit] Dubious statements

I have tagged:

The 1901 Australian Constitution included provisions to allow New Zealand to join Australia as its seventh state, even after the government of New Zealand had already decided against such a move.

as Dubious. I believe a citation needed for date of NZ decision - although they weren't signing up I understand NZ wanted to keep options open which is a slightly different sense than that conveyed by the article.--Matilda talk 20:17, 22 March 2008 (UTC)

I don't feel this is a dubious statement, an unreferenced one, but there is no doubt that New Zealand could have considered becoming a part of the Commonwealth, it was part of NSW for a long time so its not that much of a stretch, i think the dubious tag should be removed and a replaced with a ref tag. Taifarious1 05:27, 12 June 2008 (UTC)
I have changed the tag. My concern is the Constitution included provisions to allow New Zealand to join ... even after the government of New Zealand had already decided against such a move because although they weren't signing up I understand NZ wanted to keep options open which is a slightly different sense to that conveyed at present and the date of a decision is probably critical to getting the right inference.--Matilda talk 06:25, 12 June 2008 (UTC)
You should take a look here and see if you think this is a suitable enough reference: [1], It does not offer a definitive date, but it states that New Zealand becoming a part of the federation became increasing undesirable in the 1890's before the commonwealth was established. It will be hard to find a pinpoint date to its actual decision but thats very close. Taifarious1 07:27, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Things to be added

  • Similarity
    • Flags
      • New Zealand: The current flag was introduced in 1869. It was initially used only on government ships, but was adopted as the de facto national flag in a surge of patriotism arising from the Second Boer War in 1902. To end confusion between various designs of the flag, the Liberal Government passed the Ensign and Code Signals Bill, which was approved by King Edward VII on 24 March 1902, declaring the flag as New Zealand's national flag.
      • Australia: The flag of Australia was chosen in 1901 from entries in a worldwide design competition held following Federation.
  • Trade
    • Fireblight in apples - antipathy against imports from NZ done --Matilda talk 23:59, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

--Matilda talk 01:57, 24 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] More Influential?

Resolved. Matilda talk 07:59, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

The statement in the lead section The relationship between Australia and New Zealand is somewhat similar to that of other small countries with their much larger or more influential neighbour, i find, is a little bias, whos to say that one nation has more influene of eachother in the case of NZ and AUS, larger neighbour is a given, but more influential not so much. Some could say that NZ has had a much larger influence, i.e. giving women the vote, going nuclear free, Edmund Hillary, Earnest Rutherford, New Zealands position in Pacific Island nations, Fonterra, NZ-China FTA and even LOTR! These things dont mean anything to the way NZ and AUS relate to eachother and i dont think its fair to include that statement in the lead section, or anywhere for that matter. Taifarious1 02:56, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

I have issues with the lead paragraph beyond the question of influence. It currently reads:

The relationship between Australia and New Zealand is somewhat similar to that of other small countries with their much larger or more influential neighbour, such as Canada and the United States, although this is modified by the fact that Australia and New Zealand are both middle powers as far as global affairs are concerned. Some have defined the relationship as less one of friendship than of brotherhood, beset by sibling rivalry.[1]

The reference only supports the last sentence. The lead of Canada – United States relations is perhaps a useful comparison:

Canada – United States relations span more than two centuries, marked by a shared British colonial heritage, conflict during the early years of the U.S., and the eventual development of one of the most successful international relationships in the modern world. The most serious breach in the relationship was the War of 1812, which saw American invasion attempts on then British North America. Friendship would be solidified in the 20th century with the shared experience of the world wars and a close alliance during the Cold War.

I propose to remove the offending words and, borrowing from Canada – United States relations rewite as:

The relationship between Australia and New Zealand is somewhat similar to that of other neighbouring countries with a countries with a shared British colonial heritage, such as Canada and the United States. Some have defined the relationship as less one of friendship than of brotherhood, beset by sibling rivalry.[1]</

--Matilda talk 06:36, 27 May 2008 (UTC)
I like it, i think its very effective and it cuts out all the speculation of the relationship between both nations. I propose we change it as the current lead is very speculatory and bias on a number of levels. Taifarious1 07:30, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Lead

Resolved. Taifarious1 talk 07:33, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

Should the sentence: The only major exception to these privileges is for individuals with outstanding warrants or criminal backgrounds deemed dangerous or undesirable for the migrant nation and its citizens. be under the 'intra-migration' section, it seems a bit useless to be in the lead section and has no bearing on the relationship as a whole. Taifarious1 05:23, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

agree - makes sense - too fine a detail for the lead--Matilda talk 05:53, 12 June 2008 (UTC)
I Have made the changes. Taifarious1 07:34, 12 June 2008 (UTC)