Tightening the Anzac link: Ian McGibbon notes the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Australia.

• Date: 01 March 2023
• Author: McGibbon, Ian

New Zealand and Australia have had close ties going back to 1840 and before. But it was not until 17 March 1943 that the two countries became diplomatically connected. On that day New Zealand's first high commissioner to Australia, Australian-born Carl Berendsen, arrived in Sydney. Because this was a diplomatic connection of two Commonwealth countries with the same sovereign, there was no presentation of credentials. On arrival he maintained that

We in New Zealand believe the problems of Australia are in essence the same problems as those of the Dominion. We believe everything is to be gained by the closest consultation and collaboration. Relations between the two countries have always been harmonious. This was diplomatic but not true. Relations had been anything but harmonious on many occasions in the past two decades. A general lack of liaison in the late 1930s had left each learning of the other's defence plans through London. At the beginning of the Second World War, New Zealand's lack of consultation and unilateral actions regarding despatch of its expeditionary force had angered Canberra. Relations were further roiled by...