It seems an almost heretical question, but it’s gotta be asked! Why are NZ and Australia different countries? You might be surprised to know that we did consider joining up with our mates across the Tasman back in the late 19th/early 20th century, but it never worked out. And that’s just a small fragment of the fascinating history of our Trans-Tasman relationship with our mates across the ditch.

Watch the video version of the episode here

It seems an almost heretical question, but it's gotta be asked! Why are NZ and Australia different countries?

You might be surprised to know that we did consider joining up with our mates across the Tasman back in the late 19th/early 20th century, but it never worked out.

And that's just a small fragment of the fascinating history of our Trans-Tasman relationship with our mates across the ditch.

In this episode we discuss:

• How colonies in Australia became hubs for trade with Māori in Aotearoa.
• The different attitudes of Europeans towards indigenous New Zealanders and Australians.
• How the colony of New Zealand grew out of New South Wales.
• The early trans-tasman connections of New Zealand colonists.
• How the colonies of Australia Federated into the Commonwealth of Australia and why New Zealand didn't join up.
• The story of the Anzacs, and tensions between the NZ and Australian Governments during WWII.
• How NZ and Australia came together through military and trade agreements in the second half of the 20th century.

For more on this subject:

• The Prickly Pair by Denis McLean
• A Destiny Apart by Keiieth Sinclair
• Remaking the Tasman World by Philippa Mein Smith
• Te Ara Encyclopaedia - Australia and New Zealand

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details