Malcolm Rivera
New Zealand and Australia have historically shared a close relationship, with New Zealand once being a part of the New South Wales colony. In 1835, a group of Maori chiefs signed the Declaration of Independence, which established New Zealand as a sovereign nation. However, in 1840, British sovereignty over New Zealand was re-established through the Treaty of Waitangi. New Zealand has been proposed as a potential state of Australia, with some arguing that it has gained many benefits of being a state without officially becoming one. Despite the close economic and political relations between the two countries, there are disparities in their constitutions and political rights that could lead to conflict if New Zealand were to become a part of Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| New Zealand's inclusion in Australia's Constitution | New Zealand was mentioned in the Australian Constitution as a potential state of Australia. |
| New Zealand's status as part of Australia | New Zealand was a de facto part of New South Wales territory from 1788 until it became a separate colony in 1841. |
| Current relationship with Australia | New Zealand and Australia have close economic and political relations, with several agreements in place, including the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, Closer Economic Relations (CER) free trade agreement, and the Closer Defence Relations agreement. |
| Proposals for New Zealand to become part of Australia | There have been proposals for New Zealand to become part of Australia, with some suggesting that the North and South Islands become separate states. |
| New Zealand's national identity | Some New Zealanders feel they have established a distinct national identity and may lose it if they became part of Australia. |
| New Zealand's distance from Australia | Some argue that New Zealand is too far from mainland Australia to become a state. |
| New Zealand's constitution | New Zealand's constitution is unwritten, unlike Australia's. |
| Political rights in New Zealand | Political rights are not constitutionally entrenched in New Zealand, unlike in Australia. |
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What You'll Learn
New Zealand's independence
New Zealand has been a sovereign nation since 1835 when a group of Maori chiefs signed the Declaration of Independence. However, in 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, re-establishing British control of New Zealand. This treaty laid the foundation for the later proclamation of British sovereignty over New Zealand in 1840, and New Zealand became a separate colony from New South Wales in 1841.
New Zealand has had a close relationship with Australia, and both countries share economic and political relations. New Zealand was one of the colonies asked to join in the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 provided for New Zealand to be one of the potential states of Australia. However, New Zealand representatives stated that they were unlikely to join a federation with Australia at its foundation but might consider doing so in the future.
There have been several proposals for New Zealand to become the seventh state of Australia. In 1989, then-Prime Minister of New Zealand, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, said that New Zealand had "gained most of the advantages of being a state of Australia without becoming one". Despite these proposals, some New Zealanders feel they have established a distinct national identity, which they believe may be lost if they became part of Australia.
New Zealand and Australia have distinct constitutional differences, with Australia having a written constitution and New Zealand an unwritten one. Additionally, political rights are constitutionally entrenched in Australia but not in New Zealand. These disparities could lead to conflict if New Zealand were to become a state of Australia.
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Australia's constitution
The Constitution of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Constitution, is the fundamental law that governs the country's political structure. It establishes Australia as a federation under a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The Constitution sets out the structure and powers of the three constituent parts of the federal level of government: the Parliament, the Executive Government, and the Judicature.
The Constitution of Australia came into effect on January 1, 1901, marking the unification of the six colonies into states within the new Commonwealth of Australia. The six colonies that became states were New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The Constitution was drafted between 1891 and 1898 by representatives of these six self-governing British colonies in Australia. The process involved a series of conventions and conferences, with the first conference on federalism held in Melbourne in 1890 and another in Sydney in 1891. By the 1891 conference, the movement for federalism had gained significant momentum, and discussions turned to the proper system of federal government. A draft constitution was drawn up under the guidance of Sir Samuel Griffith, but these early attempts lacked popular support.
The 1891 draft constitution was submitted to colonial parliaments, but it lapsed in New South Wales, causing the other colonies to hesitate. In 1895, the six premiers of the Australian colonies agreed to establish a new convention by popular vote. This convention met from 1897 to 1898 and produced a new draft that included provisions for responsible government. The final draft was approved by each state in referendums from 1898 to 1900.
The Constitution of Australia is the primary source of Australian constitutional law, but it operates alongside other documents and interpretations. It can only be amended through a referendum, requiring a double majority of a nationwide majority and a majority of voters in a majority of states.
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New Zealand's national identity
However, beginning in the 1960s, New Zealanders began to embrace a sense of identity distinct from the empire, reflecting their location in the South Pacific. Social movements and debates during this period, including those surrounding the Vietnam War, the anti-nuclear movement, and the 1981 Springbok rugby tour, highlighted diverse perspectives on the country's identity. New Zealanders grappled with their country's nature as a bicultural or multicultural nation and its place in the world, whether as part of Asia, a Pacific nation, or still linked to the United Kingdom.
Māori culture holds a unique and valued place in New Zealand's national identity. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, recognised the significance of Māori culture and the obligation of the Crown to protect it. The health of the Māori language, te reo Māori, is considered a key indicator of cultural identity, with efforts to promote and preserve it. Māori culture is both unique to New Zealand and a significant aspect of its identity on the global stage.
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Australia's head of state
Australia is a constitutional monarchy, and its head of state is disputed. The Australian constitution does not mention the term 'head of state'. The Australian monarch is also the monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms. The current monarch is King Charles III, who is also sovereign of the 14 other Commonwealth realms, in which he is regarded as the head of state. The monarch acts on the advice of Australian state and federal ministers.
The Governor-General is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister. The Governor-General carries out all the functions usually performed by a head of state and is the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. The Governor-General is also the Chancellor of the Order of Australia and encourages, articulates, and represents the things that unite Australia as a nation.
Some argue that the Governor-General is Australia's head of state, while others argue it is the monarch, or both. The debate has been prominent in the context of Australia becoming a republic, and was heavily debated in the lead-up to the republic referendum in 1999. Republicans have campaigned for a popularly elected head of state, while opponents have argued that Australia already has an Australian citizen as its head of state in the form of the Governor-General.
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New Zealand's inclusion in Australasia
Australasia is a subregion of Oceania that includes Australia and New Zealand, and sometimes New Guinea, neighbouring islands of the Pacific, and Melanesia. The term was coined in 1756 by Charles de Brosses, derived from the Latin for "south of Asia". It was used to differentiate the area from Polynesia to the east and the southeast Pacific (Magellanica).
In the late 19th century, the term took on a geopolitical meaning, referring specifically to the British colonies south of Asia: the Australian colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, and Victoria, as well as New Zealand. This historical context highlights the close colonial ties between Australia and New Zealand, which were both part of the British Empire.
Today, the term Australasia is still used in various contexts, including geopolitics, physiogeography, philology, and ecology. The definition of Australasia has evolved and, according to the New Zealand Oxford Dictionary, there are two common interpretations. The first, often used in Australia, includes Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and the neighbouring islands of the Pacific. The second definition, often used in New Zealand, includes only Australia and New Zealand. This variation in usage demonstrates the fluid nature of regional definitions and the ongoing evolution of geopolitical labels.
Additionally, New Zealand's inclusion in Australasia has practical implications for regional organizations, academic studies, and international relations. For example, organizations like the Australasian Society of Genetic Counsellors and the Human Genetics Society of Australasia work across both Australia and New Zealand, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the two countries.
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Frequently asked questions
No, New Zealand is not part of Australia. In 1835, a group of Maori chiefs signed the Declaration of Independence, which established New Zealand as a sovereign nation. In 1841, New Zealand separated from New South Wales to become an independent colony.
Yes, New Zealand is mentioned in the Australian Constitution. Chapter VI of the Constitution of Australia provides for the admission of new states to the federation, and there have been proposals for New Zealand to become the seventh state of Australia.
Australia and New Zealand have a close relationship. New Zealand was one of the colonies asked to join in the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the two countries have close economic and political relations, including the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, the Closer Economic Relations (CER) free trade agreement, and the Closer Defence Relations agreement.
No, New Zealand does not have a written constitution. This is one of the disparities between New Zealand and Australia that could lead to conflict if New Zealand were to become part of Australia.
