It's the same as everyone liking Canadians. The good people of New Zealand are friendly, they're kind, and they're not currently engaged in international warfare with anyone.
Australians and Americans can't quite claim the same thing. We Aussies used to be universally loved, but the sheen might be wearing off slightly. There have been too many drunken chantings of "Aussie Aussie Aussie", too many tour groups of boozy gap-year students, too many blokes in their budgie smugglers in south-east Asia, too many impromptu renditions of the national anthem in crowded bars for us to pass ourselves off as harmless larrikins any more.
The term "Australian" comes with baggage these days. We've got Pauline Hanson strolling the corridors of power. We've got people locked up on faraway islands in our name. We've got petulant sports stars — hi, Nick Kyrgios — throwing tantrums. You can see why other countries' citizens would want to distance themselves from that. So does it work the other way around? In the same way as some Americans would claim to be Canadian just to avoid the hassles, would Australians ever claim to be Kiwis?
I don't think that's the case just yet. And besides, you'd never get away with the charade. Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson, David Warner and Haddin have all been big proponents of sledging, and their hostile attitude is one that does not go down well.
You have taken a wicket, why do you need to go and give the batsman a spray? We all saw it, everyone knows, you do not need to go and tell them how great you are and how poor they are. At least in the eyes of the average Kiwi, that is the feeling. So when Haddin gave New Zealand opener Martin Guptill a send-off after being dismissed in the World Cup final, it did not leave a great impression.
There is no doubting Australia were the vastly better side on the day. Their seam bowlers exploited New Zealand's weaknesses by bowling full, straight and fast. New Zealand is proud of their team, and there are few denying that Australia were deserved victors. Perhaps calls of sour grapes are justified from the Australians, depending on which viewpoint you take. It is the attitude though, not the game and outcome that are being questioned.
I have lived in Australia for 33 years, I have worked with Kiwis, and at no point have I heard an Australian turn as venomous towards a Kiwi as I have heard Kiwis turn towards us. It comes across petty and small. You are a country of jaw-dropping scenery, you punch well above your weight in the film industry, you produced Peter Jackson and comedy masterminds like Rhys Darby, Murray Ball, John Clarke, and Flight of the Conchords. You have the All Blacks!
You are a wealthy, ostensibly tolerant, visually stunning first-world country, with so much to be proud of and yet so many of you waste your time and your energy looking over the ditch to see what Australia is doing and whether you can find anything new to criticise about it.
He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before calling New Zealand home. He has now spent over a decade in the New Zealand tourism industry, clocking in more than activities across the country. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides. By using this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and the terms of use within it. Contact — Disclaimer. Skip to content. New Zealand Culture. Does the Sydney Harbour Bridge lead straight to Auckland?
Author Robin C.
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