United NZ & Oz?

[Sniper]

Im not too clued up on the economy side of things, but I know the military benefits if we do merge. Wouldn't be a bad thing

[Dadpole]

but I know the military benefits if we do merge. Wouldn't be a bad thing

Like "Where America goes, we go" sort of thing. PT

[Colapop]

Militarily the problems would lie with the Aussies propensity to kiss America's ass and with our liking not to spend money on our military. It would have benefits to have a better policed economic zone.
As for currency, it'd be a good thing, so would a global single currency unit. Economically if we (OZ and NZ) operated with closer economic links and less trade restriction (CER - hasn't that supposedly been done) then not only would NZ exporters have better access to Ozzie markets but Ozzie manufacturers wouldn't have to import Maori's to work in their factories! Seriously costs are better here for manufacturers just that the export cost is so great.
Identity should ever change although I wonder how long before an 'indeginous' culture tries to claim part of Bondi beach? Exported land wars?

[ManDownUnder]

We'd need to have it all written down of course - in the treaty of warrangatta or something.

Fair crack though - it'd give both countries an opportunity to resolve all land claims and similar issues as part of the process.

"We will be one nation in 5 years - you have to sort out all your grievances and shit like that before then - GO!"

[Grahameeboy]

Why would joining change our Identity.....Brits are still Brits despite EU......French are still well French.......

I reckon it is a good thing as we need the money.......there is not as much difference between NZ & Aussie compared with the issues of EU....may bring in compulsory Insurance which is a good thing.

[onearmedbandit]

Correct if I'm wrong but despite France etc belonging to the EU they still are independent countries. What is being suggested here is NZ become another state of Australia. So we will no longer have our own government except a state govt overseen by the federal govt in OZ.

[bugjuice]

some european countries have gone with the Euro.. not sure how that's working out, and if a can of coke is the same in all countries so to speak.

Slightly OT, the UK government spent millions of pounds to convince the Brits to buy into the Euro. So much so, that it was uneconomic not to. They wasted a lot of money with that 'stunt'. Fuckers.

Not all european countries want the Euro. But the ones that have, some still have duel currencies, which I don't really understand how confusing that would be

[Hitcher]

Which European Union member states have dual currencies?

[rasty]

It's more of a certainty than Kiwis will ever admit or expect. We'd be stupid to fight it to. All we need to do is stop those stupid Aussies from sucking up to the US first.

What Jim2 says.

[bugjuice]

for 50 points...
Can't remember now. Spain..?
May be they don't any more, could have been just the transition period, but I remember it being a long time for dual currencies

[Matt Bleck]

Mate, Aussies and the treaty of Waitangi......I can't see it.

[Lou Girardin]

The sooner the better. It's the only thing that'll stop our slide into third world status.

[Finn]

Mate, Aussies and the treaty of Waitangi......I can't see it.

Exactly. Here's our opportunity to rid ourselves of the treaty.

[Dadpole]

The sooner the better. It's the only thing that'll stop our slide into third world status.

You mean we're not already?
A whole generation of people at subsistance level
A class of wealthy who keep getting richer
petty laws being constantly introduced to "keep us safe"
Auntie helen harping on that "the media is free, but there are some things they should not publish (political cartoons)
The suggested "big sister" policy that would test your childrens physical, mental and - presumably - political health.

mumble mumble mumble

[WRT]

The French still had dual currency when I was there in (?) '02. Thats gone now, but I heard the Swiss were getting on the band wagon, anyone know if they have the Swiss Franc and the Euro running? Google will know, but I really cant be assed - its just about lunchtime and soon I wont be getting paid to be on here.

As for us and Oz combining - has anyone considered whether the Maoris will get the same treatment as the Aboriginies???