Similarities:
· Both were “discovered” by a Dutchman (Abel Tasman) but colonised by the English.
· Both are still members of the Commonwealth and recognise the Queen as the head of state.
· Both made great contributions to the World Wars – both independently and together.
· Both have a history of stable and relatively liberal and progressive governments.
· Both have a history of innovation and independence.
· Both have a very good standard of living.
· People have similar outlooks on life.
· People have similar tastes in food, music, literature etc.
· Both love barbecuing, partying and both nations claim to have invented the pavlova (it was New Zealand).
· Both have strong and proud sporting histories – both countries over-perform at Olympic Games in particular and have one team sport they are indisputably consistently the best at in the world. (NZ = rugby, Australia = cricket)
· Both have people that are relatively laid-back that enjoy the outdoors and spending time in nature and with family.
· Both populations have a sense of humour that very much laughs at themselves (and each other).
· Both have a population that love to travel and a significant number of young people that head overseas for a year or two after finishing school / university.
· Both countries have a very liveable climate (but see below).
· Both nations are highly desirable for potential immigrants which has caused some issues for both nations in the last 2 decades.
· Both nations have subtly shifted their focus away from the UK and USA towards greater engagement with Asia over the last 30 years.
Differences:
· The native people of NZ, the Māori, have been treated significantly better than the Australian Aboriginals. Where there have been injustices, the governments of New Zealand have been much more honest and quicker than those of Australia to own up to them and attempt to redress them.
· Australia was settled as a penal colony. NZ was settled as a farming / mining settlers colony.
· Australians are much more patriotic and nationalistic. They are loud and proud and humility is not a strong point. They celebrate success and those who achieve it. NZers have a history of “tall poppy” syndrome and people are not encouraged to promote themselves and their successes. Australia Day is a day of national togetherness and celebration (although recently things are changing there) whereas Waitangi Day in NZ has more often been about highlighting differences rather than celebrating our success as a nation.
· Australia has larger cities, magnificent beaches, some rainforest and an enormous chunk of uninhabitable desert in the middle. Parts of the country are ludicrously hot. NZ has a more spread out population and a more temperate climate with more forest, mountains and snow (as well as smaller cities and great beaches)
· Australia is home to numerous deadly animals on land and in the ocean. NZ has none.
· Australian birds are noisy, gregarious and colourful (much like their humans). NZ birds are hardy, industrious, adaptable, and low-key (much like their humans).
· NZ loves rugby union, Aussies prefer rugby league.
