What is the relationship between New Zealand and Australia?

Australia and New Zealand are often lumped together by people from other parts of the world, because in the southern hemisphere, where there are relatively few countries, these two closely spaced lands share a similar history and the same language.

Now, after more than a century of "living separate lives" between the two countries, Australia is preparing to end this long and love-hate relationship and officially "propose" to New Zealand.

Close to each other

On December 4, Australia

The Parliamentary Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee issued a report proposing a marriage between Australia and New Zealand so that they would have* **Same laws, currency, and allows New Zealand ministers to serve as members of Australian executive councils.

"Of course, Australia and New Zealand are two independent countries, and the Committee believes that the strong relationship between the two countries - economic, cultural, immigration, defence, government and people-to-people links - -- suggesting that closer ties, such as forming a federal state, are appropriate and realistic," the report said.

However, New Zealand Finance Minister Michael Curran opposed the idea of ??using a different currency: "The Australian government has made it clear that if we were willing to accept their currency... we would not do that."

The report first made 27 recommendations, some of which seemed to be able to achieve mutual understanding between the two sides, such as the close cultural and commercial ties between the two countries. In addition, from the famous Anzac Corps in the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915 to the recent military cooperation to quell the unrest in East Timor, the two armies have been fighting side by side.

As one of the seven colonial powers in Australasia (the collective name for Australia, New Zealand and nearby South Pacific islands), New Zealand chose to become an independent country in 1901. However, Australia has never given up on the idea that "it is my little neighbor and may one day turn around." In the Australian constitution, New Zealand is still considered a historical state.

Obstacles

However, few question the practical benefits of forming a federal government. Although the two countries are just over 1,000 miles apart, Australia has a close foreign policy alliance with the United States, with troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The relationship between New Zealand and the United States has dropped to sub-zero, and it cynically claims that Australia plays the role of the United States' security representative in Asia.

The cultural differences between the two countries cannot be ignored. New Zealanders view Australians as reckless and outspoken. In turn, some Australians view their New Zealand cousins ??as "South Sea squirrel dogs" with an unhealthy attachment to the British monarchy.

Then there is sports. Unsurprisingly, the Australian Parliament did not propose the sharing of rugby resources. This move would inevitably create an indestructible rugby team, but it may also be regarded as treason by Australians. Because these two countries always have a bloody battle on the rugby field.