Our Kiwi cousins !

The relationship between Australia and New Zealand is so close that some people almost regard them as the one country.   Subtle differences emerge when an event like the visit of future British monarchs - William and Kate - train the TV cameras on their visits to both sides of the Tasman.

The crowds lined the streets in New Zealand to welcome their royal guests - and many viewers here would have noticed that they were waving Union Jacks.   In sharp contrast, Australian crowds giving a similar welcome were waving the Australian flag.    This contrast underlines the two countries past emigration policies.   At the end of the second world war, the Kiwi's restricted migrants to those from the British Isles while Australia opened it's doors to the world.

This affinity to Britain shows in other ways.   We have several New Zealand police dramas showing on our television channels.   Many will note that the Kiwi police cars carry the identical colour code of the London Met.   In contrast, Australian police cars are similar to the colour code in use across America.

The sporting contests between the two countries are intense - but it is at it's height in sports that also resonate in Britain.   Ruby League and Rugby Union bring  big crowds to both side of the Tasman and the rivalry at cricket is legend.   It seems likely that Australian Rules is on the cusp of creating a New Zealand team to enter the national competition, something long overdue given the vast number of Kiwis already integrated in that code here.    Women's sports from both countries compete with one another at the apex of international rankings - and attract world attention.

New Zealand has an envied reputation for producing champion race horses.  It is not uncommon for New Zealand horses to scoop the pool at big money contests and Australian owners and trainers are very interested in bidding for stock at the yearling sales.

Decades ago, the Kiwi's were bemusing Australian visitors with the vintage car stock on their roads.  Sales tax on new vehicles was prohibitive and as a result the cars of yesteryear were patched up and kept running long after their counterparts were sent to the junk yard in Australia.    Those days are now long gone, and the Kiwi car culture is as modern as Australian.

Despite the differences, New Zealand is a cherished neighbour.   Apart from a slight accent difference, it is almost impossible to pick the two races apart and the integration between the two countries seems likely to move even closer.   It is doubtful if this close unity of thinking is more prevalent in any other two countries on this planet !