Trans-Tasman tiff-for-tat

Press, 30 July 1985, Page 8

Trans-Tasman tiff-for-tat

PA Wellington More than 70 per cent of New Zealanders find Australians arrogant, loudmouthed and boastful, according to a survey released yesterday. However, 64 per cent of Australians surveyed could find nothing they disliked about their Tasman neighbours. The McNair survey was commissioned jointly by the Australian and New Zealand boards of the Australia-New Zealand Foundation and was made in November and December last year. It tested the attitudes held by 1200 Australians and 1000 New Zealanders towards the other country and its inhabitants. The survey also found that 45 per cent of Australians thought the capital of New Zealand was Auckland. Another 8 per cent believed it was Christchurch, and 10 per cent did not know. Although 79 per cent of New Zealanders look to Australia as the country they have most in common with, only 37 per cent of Australians • believe the same about New Zealand. Australians regarded the United States as of greater importance than New Zealand, with 74 per cent holding that view compared to 17 per cent favouring New Zealand. While disliking, some aspects of Australians, New Zealanders did consider over all that Australians were friendly, relaxed,

cheerful and self-reliant. The survey also showed that Australians and New Zealanders had nearly coincidental views on which countries were important to them for defence — princiethe United States, the td Kingdom and each other. Australians tended to look to other countries ahead of New Zealand as important trade partners. About 70 per cent of Australians favoured closer political relations with New Zealand, but only 39 per cent of New Zealanders felt the same. The Australia-New Zealand Foundation, which was established in 1978, has the objective of promoting Tasman links and understanding through studying issues of interest to both countries. The New Zealand chairman, Mr Brian Taiboys, said the survey was commissioned to provide some precise data to guide the foundation’s future activities, “So that we know what the misconceptions are and the gaps in understanding which we should concentrate upon rectifying.” Mr Taiboys said that although the foundation would concentrate on the less positive areas, the report did show the similarities of outlook between Australians and New Zealanders. “The results have shown that any relationship, no matter how close it may be, must be nurtured if it is not to drift,” Mr Taiboys said.