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In the arm wrestle for influence within SANZAR, Australia holds all the cards because New Zealand – being in effect a state of Australia – must, and should, fall into line with Australia’s interests.
Before my Kiwi friends explode in outrage, let’s just consider my rationale for a minute or two, and then you are welcome to rebut me.
There’s been a lot of argument – mostly from Australians – that South Africa should in be expelled from the SANZAR rugby alliance. We’ve been told that New Zealand will not accept that because they want to play South African teams, but in reality New Zealand has only ever expressed a ‘preference’.
While it’s true South Africa is a financial superpower in the rugby alliance, Australia is a regional superpower in the Pacific – militarily, economically and sporting-wise – and New Zealand’s economy, defence, and even sporting fortunes are inextricably bound to a country that is in every sense, except name, their mother.
Consider this:
• New Zealand football fields one club team, the Phoenix, who play in the Australian domestic league.
• New Zealand league fields one team, the Warriors, who play in the Australian domestic league.
• New Zealand basketball fields one team, the Breakers, who play in the Australian domestic league.
• New Zealand netball shares a ‘domestic’ league with Australia.
And that’s just in some of the major sporting codes, never mind at junior and every other level. Consider this also:
• Australia owns the New Zealand banking system. All its banks, with the exception of Kiwibank, are Australian, including BNZ, ANZ, ASB and Westpac.
• Australia owns 50 per cent of New Zealand’s grocery retail chain business, Progressive Enterprises. Recent moves by Australian supermarkets to encourage ‘buy Aussie’ caused widespread alarm within New Zealand, so much so that Prime Minister John Key had to raise the issue with his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott.
• New Zealand and Australia enjoy a ‘free access’ agreement between the two countries. However, Kiwis who move to Australia enjoy none of the privileges shared by other nationalities who are permanent residents or citizens (unless they apply for permanent residency). They are however free to live and work in Australia.
On the other hand, Australians who move to New Zealand enjoy all the privileges of New Zealand residency and citizenship (including social welfare), without having to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
• New Zealand has no airforce and a tiny navy and army. The country depends almost completely on Australia for its defence.
• Most companies trading in New Zealand – including the major international corporations – have their head offices in Australia. Head offices in Australia dictate the fortunes and decisions of most New Zealand employers.
I lost a contract last year after the Sydney-based head office decided to take the project away from Auckland and run it in Sydney. This is not uncommon and actually quite understandable when you consider the context of the geo-political realities.
Kiwi jobs are intrinsically bound to the goodwill of Australians. Who would you suggest, is really in the driving seat?
New Zealand is a rugby superpower on the playing field, but at the level of socio and political influence, the country depends completely and entirely on Australia’s goodwill.
To clarify my position, I am a South African who has lived in New Zealand for 15 years and hold dual citizenship in both New Zealand and South Africa. My children are Kiwis (which makes an interesting household during the rugby season). In every way my future and that of my children is bound to the fortunes of New Zealand and I am loyal in almost every respect… Except the rugby, which is my way of staying close to my roots.
It does however put me in a unique position to comment on a very unusual dynamic that many born here in New Zealand just cannot bring themselves to admit. Despite New Zealand’s superpower status in rugby union, you only need to look back to see that the country always votes with Australia.
While New Zealand rugby union may feel strong enough to have its own way on occasion, due to its economic and sporting status within the rugby union code, there are far bigger politics and powers at play – the political, economic, military and, indeed, sporting needs of New Zealand must be looked after. That, most will conclude, depends on staying close to Australia.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.