It's something that's come up every now and then in New Zealand's history: should we join with Australia to become part of a bigger country? The reasons For have almost always been economic; the reasons Against based on culture and tradition, and a certain tall-poppy syndrome.

Now, however, there's more serious discussion. How can New Zealand compete with the economic might of Japan, the USA and the European Union? How can we stay strong when we're so darned small?

I came across this nice article by Simon Schama of the BBC. It makes me miss New Zealand a little - I love living in Scotland, it suits me much more than NZ, but I am very proud of my tiny wee country at the bottom of the world.

So now I wonder: would it be sensible for NZ and Oztraylia to become one? Would the Aussies like it? Would it mean an erosion of the NZ culture? After all, we're very similar anyway. And Scotland and England have retained their distinct personalities in the greater whole of the United Kingdom.

But there are plenty of economic success stories from tiny countries: Norway's one of the richest countries in the world per capita, and Ireland had that amazing surge not so long ago. Does New Zealand have the same ability?


Would Newstralia be a Good Idea?

What do you think?