[Ben]

I agree that there is genuine antagonism in New Zealand towards Australians from time to time, not just play fighting. My sense is the Australian temperament is louder, more confident and more forthright. New Zealanders by contrast are more introverted, reserved and less confrontational. This may make an Australian seem rude, opinionated or arrogant from the perception of a New Zealander. Another reason for antagonism may be political differences. Australia is seen as pro-U.S., whereas New Zealanders are often pride themselves in taking a more neutral stand in international affairs. Australians are perceived by New Zealanders as having more racist views, particularly toward its aboriginal population. Jokes at the expense of New Zealand or New Zealanders in the Australian media get good coverage here, and this may be the source of some resentment. A catalyst is that there are surprisingly few Australians living in New Zealand, so we don’t get to meet many Australians unless we travel over there. Only 1.5% of New Zealand residents were born in Australia, compared with 6% for the UK and Ireland, 3% for the Pacific and 1.7% for China and Taiwan. (Figures are from Statistics New Zealand.) We don’t get much coverage of Australian news stories in New Zeland–apart from stories about its treatment of asylum seekers, which only serves to reinforce the ‘racist’ sterotype. Of course most of the jibes and ribbing is in good fun, but the question was about any hidden unacknowledged hostility.

User Detail :  

Name : Ben, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 29, City : Wellington, State : NA, Country : New Zealand, Occupation : Software developer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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