Could New Zealand become Australia's newest state?
New Zealand’s future could see it merged with Australia according to the country’s former Commonwealth Secretary.
This is despite the majority of New Zealanders and Australians being generally opposed to the idea. The UMR Research Poll showed that 71% of New Zealanders did not support the idea and 45% are strongly opposed to any merger plans with Australia.
Many Australians feel the same way, with 52% against any plans for a merger. However this does not stop the former Commonwealth Secretary Don McKinnon from describing the merger as inevitable.
Mr McKinnon said that half a million New Zealanders had emigrated to Australia anyway and that merging the two countries would ease restrictions on immigration and lead to easier movements of people in and out of the country.
However Labour leader Phil Goff disagrees saying that New Zealanders were proud of their independence and whilst Australia had nothing to lose by the proposed merger, New Zealand stood to lose their culture, history and identity. He stated: “It’s about making decisions in New Zealand, for New Zealanders, by New Zealanders that really matter. We can have a closer relationship, we can get the best of both worlds. Submerging ourselves into Australia is not required to achieve that.”
Most notably the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, has spoken out against the merger talks saying that it was not the answer to the problems of New Zealand. “It’s not going to happen and I don’t think we should waste any time thinking about it. The reality is what will make New Zealand a successful country are the same things that would make it a successful state of Australia.”
What do you think about plans for New Zealand to become the seventh state of Australia? Let us know your opinions and comments in the comments box below. If you are planning to immigrate to Australia visit our Australia visa guide and bookmark us for practical advice and up to date news.
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5 Responses to “New Zealand’s Prime Minister Says No to Australia Merger”
Comment by USExpat2Be — March 15, 2010 @ 6:28 pm
Absolutely not. If I want to emmigrate to Oz, I’ll go to Oz. However, I want to go to NZ the country, not the state.
Comment by Nick — March 16, 2010 @ 5:38 pm
I don’t really think the idea holds any solid reasoning. AUS & NZ can have a stronger relationship and reduce immigration restrictions without having to become one country. There are already many policies in place reducing immigration restrictions for aussies and kiwis to move. The country ties are already very strong but that’s no reason to combine them. On the other hand we would have unbeatable rugby and cricket teams
Comment by Bryce of Oz — July 24, 2010 @ 12:35 pm
I think a merger would be good for the people of both nations. The current Australian states have healthy rivalry in identity and sport, and new zealand’s addition would not compromise it’s identity. The nation’s economic size would give it great purchasing power, thus lowering the cost of living. Economic freedom and emigration/tourism freedom would be greatly increased as well.
Comment by James — November 24, 2010 @ 1:31 pm
I love that idea and even before reading this article I have always been thinking about this.
That will make a very strong country and economy in this corner of the world and definitely good for all residents both sides.
As Bryce mentioned bigger market, higher population and diversity, all kinds of climates etc., wow, amazing.
I think that would be more acceptable if we select a new name for the new country instead of being a state of Australia. Perhaps using the continent name Oceania or something else to be decided by people both side.
Comment by kylie — February 19, 2011 @ 2:35 pm
as an aussie citizen i would vote no if this was ever put to a referendum in australia…we are separate countries and will remain that way…