New Zealand: Australia's Canada?
Is that a valid assessment of the place?
Update:In the sense that there is geographic and cultural proximity between the countries yet one is clearly the one that emanates a greater influence.
Update 3:To many, the primary social and cultural exports of Australia are kangaroos, didgeridoos, aboriginals, "g'day," Crocodile Dundee and the opera house. New Zealand only brings to mind islands and the Maori.
Likewise, the States seem to have all its cooky cultural traits, while Canada is mostly known for its liberalism, French speakers and "eh."
The analogy between AU/NZ and US/CA is that one has a more prevalent image than the other.
Comments
New Zealand is not a part of Australia, so I am assuming that you are referring to Canada from the perspective of USA?
If so, I would say that Australia doesn't put on the same kind of aires about being 'greater than others' the way that the USA does, and also, New Zealand is more economically independent of Australia than Canada is with USA.
Very different sitation not sharing a common border and all.
Plus both Australia and New Zealand are members of the Commonwealth as is Canada.
P.S. You are right about Canada exerting a greater influence, but I am not sure which you are talking about with AUS/NZ?
p.p.s Canada is known for more than just French and EH, we are known for cultural sensitivity, Hockey, Lacrosse, and many Americans pretend to be Canadians when they travel abroad. We are also known for our humanitarian efforts, Maple Syrop, free medical care (which many American cross the border for), our neutrality, and skiing locations. I think that you have also missed all that NZ is known for. Lush feilds, skiing, laid back attitude, sheep farmers, the ability to drink responsibly, and the ability to create an economy free of national debt.
Response to Kiwi jayvader
I know that you have one (national debt) now, but I remember when you guys separated your economy from Australia. That was an awesome move! I also know there is more to NZ, also to AUS, but I was really making a point to the author about Canada (my being a Canuck and all)
no, I do not think Australia and New Zealand share the same relationship as Canada and the States. Australia and New Zealand are two very independent countries, though being located relatively remotely from the larger continents but close together, they share some common aspects of culture.
I don't think either Australia or New Zealand have a feeling of superiority over the other, or see the other country as a place to "use". There is the usual friendly bantering between any two different countries that share the same geographical location, but I respect the different nature of Australia to my own country (NZ), but I certainly don't see it as lording it over my own culture.
im aussie and i do not think of NZ like that i think of them as a brilliant independant country that have really awesum accents.
i dont know why people assume canada is like USA though it does have simularities, its not the same!.
i tihnk most people with common sense do not call two different countries one because the NZ are proud and its not nice to catagorise them as aussies if they do not want to.
I love NZ dance they do before rugby games and other games!
im a kiwi and we are very diferent to our ausie cobbers,you dont know much about us we are the adventure capital of the and theres heaps here thats cool,espeacially if your into adreniline sports and nature and stuff aus has its own coolness comparing us to them is like apples and pears realy, nah we have national debt
I'm an aussie too, and No it is not a valid assessment. New Zealand is a differant country....fool
are you refering to us canuks as americas NZ?!?! canada is no ones lacky. Americans like to think so. but ask any canadian we are completely independant and separately vibrant and accepting.
America has other countries which swear fealty to it. not canada
canada is way cooler than new zealand
but I guess its sort of accurate
I think so.
sure why not?