How come Australia and New Zealand are such different cultures?

[Vojnik]

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. Don't forget Pacific Islanders are the finest phsycial specimens around, hence the rugby.

Australia is just too big, basically.

I've dealt with many Maoris. Nice people, strong, but dumb as dog shit. Many of them have musical talents too. They are known for their singing abilities.

[PaleoEuropean]

I've dealt with many Maoris. Nice people, strong, but dumb as dog shit. Many of them have musical talents too. They are known for their singing abilities.

I used to play Arma 2 with a Maori dude back in the day, he was really kid at killing people in video games.

[Davystayn]

I agree, Maori (in general) arent the sharpest (who is) but they have a wholesome way of looking at things, and are just beasts physically, naturally very strong.

[PaleoEuropean]

I agree, Maori (in general) arent the sharpest (who is) but they have a wholesome way of looking at things, and are just beasts physically, naturally very strong.

They have a really interesting history too, did an essay about them for a cultural anthropology class.

[Creoda]

Another unqualified premise to start a Tooting Carmen thread

The cultural differences between both countries are relatively minor, less than the differences between the US and Canada. Aussies and Kiwi's are pretty much the same.

[Davystayn]

They both pretend to despise each other which is quite funny really, sport is huge in both countries, but yes push come to shove they are quite the same,

[frankhammer]

Another unqualified premise to start a Tooting Carmen thread

The cultural differences between both countries are relatively minor, less than the differences between the US and Canada. Aussies and Kiwi's are pretty much the same.

^^Agreed.

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.

Tooting C, you have no idea.

[frankhammer]

I'm surprised someone hasn't associated a like of "chicken and watermelon" to the Maori too.

"naturally very strong and their singing abilities". Sheeit

[Tooting Carmen]

Another unqualified premise to start a Tooting Carmen thread

The cultural differences between both countries are relatively minor, less than the differences between the US and Canada. Aussies and Kiwi's are pretty much the same.

If you take out Quebec, Canada would be more like the US than NZ is like Australia. After all, they share a large border and of course the US influences practically every aspect of life in Canada.

[Smeagol]

If you take out Quebec, Canada would be more like the US than NZ is like Australia. After all, they share a large border and of course the US influences practically every aspect of life in Canada.

I doubt it.