How come Australia and New Zealand are such different cultures?

[Tooting Carmen]

Is it to do with their historic migrant and settlement patterns?

Politics and Economics

While Australia has always been more-or-less a "conventional free-market capitalist" nation, New Zealand before the 1980's was one of the most socialist nations in the democratic world. Even since its substantial economic liberalisation, aspects of its radical left-wing heritage are still there.

Clean Governance

Both countries have very low levels of corruption by global standards. However, New Zealand is usually ranked with Singapore and the Nordic countries as being the cleanest of the lot, whereas Australia doesn't quite reach those heights.

Race

While Australia's treatment of its Aboriginal population has been abominable, by contrast in New Zealand Whites and Maoris have operated on an (almost) equal basis since the Treaty of Waitaki, with the Maori language even being co-official in the country. Nor, for that matter, has New Zealand been historically quite so hostile to non-White immigration as Australia was.

Sport

While rugby union is overwhelmingly king in New Zealand, Australia has a much wider variety of sports that are well-supported - rugby league, Aussie rules, cricket and even soccer and basketball to a lesser extent.

[Teutone]

I take Australia over NZ if the comparison is true.

[JamesBond007]

Is it to do with their historic migrant and settlement patterns?

Politics and Economics

While Australia has always been more-or-less a "conventional free-market capitalist" nation, New Zealand before the 1980's was one of the most socialist nations in the democratic world. Even since its substantial economic liberalisation, aspects of its radical left-wing heritage are still there.

Clean Governance

Both countries have very low levels of corruption by global standards. However, New Zealand is usually ranked with Singapore and the Nordic countries as being the cleanest of the lot, whereas Australia doesn't quite reach those heights.

Race

While Australia's treatment of its Aboriginal population has been abominable, by contrast in New Zealand Whites and Maoris have operated on an (almost) equal basis since the Treaty of Waitaki, with the Maori language even being co-official in the country. Nor, for that matter, has New Zealand been historically quite so hostile to non-White immigration as Australia was.

Sport

While rugby union is overwhelmingly king in New Zealand, Australia has a much wider variety of sports that are well-supported - rugby league, Aussie rules, cricket and even soccer and basketball to a lesser extent.

Because New Zealand is populated mostly by Scots and Australia is not. As far sports, I dunno ,I guess Scots are better at rugby than at soccer etc... which is why they rarely if ever beat England in a soccer match.

[catgeorge]

Clean governance in Australia - WTF ?

The whole banking system has been under a royal commission for corruption and outright thievery for years.

Australia is not immune to high levels of corruption it exists wherever there exists big slosh of cash to keep shareholders happy.

[Tooting Carmen]

Clean governance in Australia - WTF ?

The whole banking system has been under a royal commission for corruption and outright thievery for years.

Australia is not immune to high levels of corruption it exists wherever there exists big slosh of cash to keep shareholders happy.

By global standards Australia is not too bad. However, my point is (which you have totally missed apparently) is that it isn't AS clean as New Zealand.

[catgeorge]

By global standards Australia is not too bad. However, my point is (which you have totally missed apparently) is that it isn't AS clean as New Zealand.

No it's not - it's not clean at all for one.

[Duffmannn]

Is it to do with their historic migrant and settlement patterns?

Politics and Economics

While Australia has always been more-or-less a "conventional free-market capitalist" nation, New Zealand before the 1980's was one of the most socialist nations in the democratic world. Even since its substantial economic liberalisation, aspects of its radical left-wing heritage are still there.

.

Does this explain the economic underperform of New Zealand? Or it is due to a combination of geographical isolation and a relative lack of resources?

[Tooting Carmen]

Does this explain the economic underperform of New Zealand? Or it is due to a combination of geographical isolation and a relative lack of resources?

More the latter. Australia is still not that far off mainland Asia, whereas NZ is in the middle of nowhere.

[Vojnik]

Both countries are the same culturally.

The reason Maoris have had influence and have been treated better then Australian aborigines is because Maoris actually fought for it. They were large warrior people that weren't easily subdued like the Aboriginies.

[Davystayn]

Much easier to govern NZ, small island country with a pop of 5 million, Australia on the other hand is continental sized with a far harsher climate, only certain areas are actually liveable.

To get to NZ you have to go through Australia first, from Asia way, so more isolated (at least initially).

The Maoris also have a very strong mentality, and able to focus more as a society with NZ being smaller, which allowed a succesful blend of Anglo + Pacific Island culture.

Many Scots emigrated to NZ, particularly south island, which may have helped cohesion as the country developed. Dunedin is heavily influenced by Edinburgh and Canterbury very much like a regional English city.

In NZ there was a relatively succesful merger. Don't forget Pacific Islanders are the finest physical specimens around, hence the rugby.

Australia is just too big, basically.