What If New Zealand Joined Australia as a State?

The Actual History

The histories of Australia and New Zealand have been intertwined since European colonization of the South Pacific, yet they ultimately took separate paths as independent nations. Both territories were claimed by the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries, with Australia officially claimed in 1788 and New Zealand becoming a British colony after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi with Māori chiefs in 1840.

Throughout the 19th century, the Australian colonies (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia) developed separately under British rule, but with increasing autonomy. Similarly, New Zealand established its own colonial government, which was granted self-governing status in 1852. During this period, there were significant connections between the colonies, including trade, migration, and shared British institutions.

As the 19th century drew to a close, a movement toward federation gained momentum in Australia. Representatives from the Australian colonies met in a series of conventions during the 1890s to draft a constitution for a unified Australian nation. During this process, New Zealand was formally invited to join the proposed federation. Section 6 of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 explicitly names New Zealand as one of the colonies that may be admitted as an "Original State" of the Commonwealth of Australia.

However, New Zealand ultimately decided against joining the Australian Federation for several key reasons:

Geographic separation: The Tasman Sea created a natural barrier, with over 1,200 miles (2,000 km) of ocean separating the two lands.
Economic concerns: New Zealand feared being dominated by the larger Australian economy and losing control of its trade policies.
Social and cultural differences: New Zealand had developed different attitudes toward indigenous peoples (the Māori) compared to Australia's treatment of Aboriginal peoples. The Treaty of Waitangi had established a unique constitutional arrangement in New Zealand.
Political independence: New Zealand valued its direct relationship with Britain and feared being relegated to a secondary position within an Australian-dominated federation.
Distinct identity: By the late 19th century, New Zealanders had begun to develop a national identity distinct from Australia.

When the Commonwealth of Australia was officially formed on January 1, 1901, it united the six Australian colonies as states of a single nation, while New Zealand remained a separate British colony. New Zealand later became a Dominion in 1907, granting it even greater autonomy within the British Empire.

Throughout the 20th century, both Australia and New Zealand gradually became fully independent nations while maintaining their Commonwealth ties. The 1931 Statute of Westminster formally recognized their legislative independence, though New Zealand did not adopt it until 1947. The Australia Act and the New Zealand Constitution Act (both from the 1980s) further severed remaining constitutional links with Britain.

Despite choosing separate paths, Australia and New Zealand have maintained close relations through initiatives like the 1983 Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA) and the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, which allows citizens to live and work in either country. They also cooperate closely on defense through the ANZUS alliance (though New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance created tensions in the 1980s) and various cultural and sporting exchanges.

Today, while there are occasional light-hearted suggestions of union, both countries maintain their separate sovereign identities, with distinct political systems, cultural traits, and international relationships, despite their shared British colonial heritage and continuing close partnership.

The Point of Divergence

What if New Zealand had decided to join the Australian Federation in 1901? In this alternate timeline, we explore a scenario where New Zealand overcame its reservations and became Australia's seventh state, fundamentally altering the development of both nations and reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the South Pacific.

The historical opportunity for this divergence was very real – Section 6 of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 explicitly provided for New Zealand's admission as an original state. Several plausible scenarios could have led to a different outcome:

Scenario 1: Economic Pragmatism Prevails In our alternate timeline, the economic arguments for federation might have proven more compelling. During the 1890s depression, New Zealand's economy was struggling. A more severe economic downturn might have convinced New Zealand politicians that joining a larger economic union offered greater stability and opportunity. Influential New Zealand business leaders, particularly those with strong Australian connections, could have mounted a more effective campaign emphasizing the benefits of a unified market.

Scenario 2: Modified Federal Arrangement The Australian constitutional conventions might have been more accommodating to New Zealand's concerns. Special provisions protecting New Zealand's unique relationship with the Māori through the Treaty of Waitangi could have been incorporated into the constitution. Additionally, guarantees of proportional representation in the federal parliament and protection for New Zealand's industries might have made federation more attractive.

Scenario 3: British Diplomatic Pressure The British Colonial Office, seeing strategic advantages in a unified Australasian dominion, could have applied stronger diplomatic pressure on New Zealand to join. Britain, concerned with the rising powers in the Pacific (particularly Japan and the United States), might have seen a unified Australasia as a stronger bulwark for British interests in the region and encouraged New Zealand's participation more forcefully.

Scenario 4: Different Leadership If New Zealand's political leadership during the critical 1890s period had been different – perhaps with Prime Minister Richard Seddon falling ill or losing office earlier – the colony's stance might have shifted. A more federation-friendly government could have steered New Zealand toward union with Australia.

In this alternate timeline, we'll explore how a combination of these factors – particularly economic necessity and a modified federal arrangement that addressed New Zealand's unique concerns – led to New Zealand becoming the seventh state of the Commonwealth of Australia on January 1, 1901, creating a unified Australasian nation stretching across the Tasman Sea.

Immediate Aftermath

Constitutional Adjustments

The immediate inclusion of New Zealand as Australia's seventh state would have necessitated significant adjustments to the newly formed Commonwealth's constitutional arrangements:

The House of Representatives: The addition of New Zealand's population (approximately 815,000 in 1901) would have increased the Commonwealth's total population to around 4.7 million. This would have entitled New Zealand to approximately 23 seats in the first House of Representatives, making it the third-largest state delegation after New South Wales and Victoria.
Senate Representation: Like other states, New Zealand would have received six senators in the original Senate, ensuring equal representation with the other states regardless of population. This would have increased the original Senate from 36 to 42 members.
Special Constitutional Provisions: Unlike the other states, New Zealand would likely have secured special provisions recognizing the Treaty of Waitangi. A new section of the Australian Constitution might have been drafted to acknowledge the Treaty's status, creating a unique constitutional arrangement for Māori rights within the federal system.
State Government Structure: New Zealand would have retained its own state government, similar to the other Australian states, with a State Premier and parliament handling state-level affairs while delegating defense, foreign relations, trade, and other federal matters to the Commonwealth government in the newly established capital (which would still likely have been Melbourne initially, moving to Canberra later).

Economic Integration

The immediate economic consequences of New Zealand's inclusion would have been significant:

Unified Currency and Market: New Zealand would have adopted the Australian pound (later the Australian dollar), creating a truly unified Australasian economy. This would have eliminated currency exchange issues and facilitated smoother trade between the islands.
Customs Union: The immediate elimination of trade barriers between New Zealand and the Australian states would have created new market opportunities but also exposed some industries to greater competition. New Zealand's dairy industry would have gained unrestricted access to Australian markets, while some of its manufacturing sectors might have struggled against more established Australian competitors.
Shipping and Transit: A massive expansion of shipping services across the Tasman would have been necessary to accommodate the increased flow of goods and people. The federal government would likely have subsidized these services to ensure that New Zealand wasn't disadvantaged by its geographic separation.
Banking System: The consolidation of banking systems would have occurred, with major Australian banks expanding more aggressively into New Zealand and some New Zealand financial institutions being absorbed by their larger Australian counterparts.

Political Repercussions

The political landscape of the new Australasian federation would have been immediately altered:

Federal Politics: New Zealand politicians would have brought different perspectives into federal politics. The presence of a significant bloc of New Zealand representatives might have tempered the dominance of New South Wales and Victoria in the early federation.
Labor Movement: New Zealand's more progressive labor policies would have influenced the nascent Australian Labor Party. New Zealand had already granted women the vote in 1893, and this progressive stance might have accelerated women's suffrage across the entire federation (in our timeline, Australia granted federal women's suffrage in 1902).
Māori Representation: The incorporation of Māori representatives into the federal parliament would have created a precedent for indigenous representation that didn't exist in the original Australian Commonwealth. This could have potentially led to earlier discussions about Aboriginal representation.
British Relations: The unified Australasian federation would have presented an even more significant dominion within the British Empire, potentially giving it greater influence in imperial affairs.

Social and Cultural Impact

The immediate social and cultural merging would have begun a fascinating process of integration and distinction:

National Identity: The early formation of an "Australasian" rather than separate Australian and New Zealand identities would have begun, though regional distinctions would have persisted. Newspapers and publications would have started using "Australasian" as a common descriptor.
Sporting Integration: Combined Australasian teams would have emerged for international competitions. The famous All Blacks rugby team might have merged with Australian players to form an Australasian team, while cricket, another passion shared by both nations, would have seen unified representation in international matches.
Māori-Aboriginal Relations: For the first time, the indigenous peoples of Australia and New Zealand would have been brought under a single national government, potentially creating new pan-indigenous connections and advocacy networks.
Education and Professional Qualifications: A standardization of educational curricula and professional qualifications would have begun, facilitating easier movement of professionals between the former colonies.

Defense and Foreign Affairs

The strategic implications would have been immediately apparent:

Unified Defense Force: The creation of a truly Australasian Defense Force would have combined the military traditions of both regions. New Zealand troops would have been integrated into Australian units and vice versa.
Imperial Defense: Britain would have had a more streamlined approach to defense planning in the South Pacific, dealing with a single Australasian government rather than two separate colonies.
Pacific Strategy: The unified federation would have immediately become the dominant European-derived power in the South Pacific, with territories now spanning a much wider geographical area and encompassing more Pacific islands and territories.

This immediate period of integration would have been challenging but would have set the stage for an Australasia that developed very differently from the separate nations we know today, with the groundwork laid for a century of shared history, combined influence, and merged identity.

Long-term Impact

Political Evolution (1901-1950)

The unified Australasian federation would have experienced a political evolution quite different from our timeline:

Federal-State Tensions: New Zealand's distance from the mainland would have exacerbated the natural tensions between federal and state powers. By the 1920s, this might have led to a greater decentralization of the federation than in our timeline, with states retaining more autonomy.
Constitutional Reform: The unique provisions made for the Treaty of Waitangi would have created precedents for acknowledging indigenous rights that likely would have influenced later constitutional developments. By the 1940s, this might have led to earlier recognition of Aboriginal rights and possibly the creation of dedicated indigenous representation mechanisms at the federal level.
Political Landscape: New Zealand's stronger progressive tradition would have influenced the federation's political development. The Labor Party might have gained power earlier than its 1910s emergence in our timeline, and social welfare policies might have been implemented on a federal level sooner.
Voting Rights and Governance: With New Zealand's early adoption of women's suffrage influencing the federation, Australasia might have developed a reputation as a global leader in democratic innovations, potentially implementing preferential voting systems and other electoral reforms earlier and more consistently across the federation.

Economic Development (1901-2025)

The economic trajectory of a unified Australasia would have differed significantly from our timeline:

Agricultural Synergies: The complementary agricultural strengths of Australia (wheat, wool, beef) and New Zealand (dairy, lamb) would have created a more diverse and resilient agricultural export sector. By the 1930s, Australasian agricultural products would have gained global recognition under unified marketing boards.
Industrial Development: New Zealand's manufacturing sector, instead of developing independently behind protectionist barriers, would have specialized within a larger Australasian industrial framework. This might have created more efficient industries but would have concentrated manufacturing more heavily in the Australian mainland states.
Mineral Resources: Australia's mineral wealth, combined with New Zealand's resources, would have fueled industrial development. The resource boom of the 1950s-1970s would have benefited the entire federation, though New Zealand might have received a smaller share of the direct benefits, leading to potential tensions.
Modern Economy: By 2025, the Australasian economy would likely be more integrated but still face the challenge of distance. New Zealand, as a state, might have developed specializations in tourism, technology, film production, and agricultural innovation while benefiting from the greater capital markets of a unified nation.

Māori and Aboriginal Relations

The most profound long-term impact might have been on indigenous relations:

Treaty of Waitangi Influence: The constitutional recognition of the Treaty would have created a framework potentially beneficial to both Māori and Aboriginal peoples. By the 1970s, this might have evolved into a national approach to indigenous rights more robust than what developed in our timeline.
Indigenous Political Power: Combined Māori and Aboriginal political movements might have emerged by the 1960s, creating more powerful advocacy groups than existed in either separate nation in our timeline.
Cultural Renaissance: The Māori cultural renaissance of the 1970s and 1980s might have catalyzed similar movements among Aboriginal peoples earlier than in our timeline, leading to greater preservation and celebration of indigenous languages and cultural practices.
Land Rights and Recognition: The established legal precedents of Māori land claims might have accelerated Aboriginal land rights claims. By 2025, a unified Australasia might have developed more comprehensive approaches to addressing historical injustices.

Foreign Policy and Defense (1901-2025)

As a unified nation, Australasia's international stance would have evolved differently:

World Wars: In both World Wars, Australasian forces would have fought as a single unit rather than separate ANZAC forces. The shared war experience would have consolidated national identity, though the Gallipoli tradition would likely still have emerged as a formative national narrative.
Post-War Alignment: During the Cold War, a unified Australasia might have maintained a more independent stance than Australia did in our timeline. The anti-nuclear sentiment that was strong in New Zealand might have influenced federal policy, potentially leading to a more complex relationship with the United States.
Asian Engagement: The economic rise of Asia would have presented both challenges and opportunities. With New Zealand's earlier engagement with China (it recognized the People's Republic of China before Australia in our timeline), Australasia might have pivoted toward Asian engagement earlier than Australia did independently.
Pacific Influence: By 2025, Australasia would be the undisputed regional power in the South Pacific, with greater capacity to provide aid, influence regional forums, and counterbalance the influence of other powers like China in the region.

National Identity (1901-2025)

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect would be the evolution of a distinct Australasian identity:

Sporting Legacy: Combined Australasian teams in rugby, cricket, and Olympic sports would have created shared sporting heroes and traditions. The rugby rivalry with South Africa and cricket contests with England would have become defining national experiences.
Cultural Production: A unified Australasian film industry, literature, and arts scene would have emerged. By the 1980s, a distinctive Australasian cinema might have gained global recognition, combining elements from both traditional Australian and New Zealand filmmaking.
Indigenous Influence: Both Māori and Aboriginal cultural elements would have influenced national symbols, art, and identity. The haka might have become a national tradition performed by Australasian teams, while Aboriginal art might have gained greater incorporation into national iconography.
Regional Identities: Despite unification, distinct regional identities would persist. New Zealanders might still colloquially refer to themselves as "Kiwis" just as Queenslanders identify as such within Australia, but all would recognize themselves as Australasians first in international contexts.

Environmental Policy and Challenges

The inclusion of New Zealand would have influenced approaches to environmental management:

Conservation Approaches: New Zealand's distinctive conservation ethic, developed partly from its unique ecosystem vulnerabilities, might have influenced federal environmental policies earlier. National parks systems might have developed more comprehensively across the federation.
Climate Policy: By the early 21st century, Australasia's climate policy might have been more progressive than Australia's was in our timeline, influenced by New Zealand's stronger environmental movement. The presence of New Zealand representatives in federal parliament might have tempered the influence of the coal and mineral lobbies.
Nuclear Policy: New Zealand's strong anti-nuclear stance might have influenced federal policy, potentially leading to a nuclear-free Australasia by the 1990s, with significant implications for defense agreements and alliances.

Technological and Scientific Development

A unified approach to research and development would have emerged:

Research Integration: Australasian universities would have developed as a more integrated network, potentially achieving higher global rankings through combined resources and specialization.
Innovation Hubs: While Sydney and Melbourne would remain the largest innovation centers, Auckland might have developed as a significant technology hub, perhaps specializing in software and digital media to complement the mainland's strengths.
Space Program: With greater combined resources, Australasia might have developed a more ambitious space program by the 2000s, using launch facilities in both countries to take advantage of different geographic advantages.

By 2025, the Commonwealth of Australasia would be a nation of approximately 31 million people—a middle power with significant regional influence, a distinctive multiethnic identity, and a complex but largely successful history of managing the challenges of distance, diversity, and development across a federation spanning the Tasman Sea.

Expert Opinions

Dr. James Belich, Professor of Comparative Colonial History at Victoria University of Wellington, offers this perspective: "Had New Zealand joined the Australian Federation in 1901, we would have seen a fascinating experiment in distance federation. The Tasman Sea would have functioned similar to Bass Strait, but on a much larger scale. The inevitable tensions between center and periphery would have been amplified, likely leading to a more decentralized federal system than Australia developed in our timeline. The most profound difference, however, would have been in indigenous affairs. The constitutional incorporation of the Treaty of Waitangi would have created a legal framework that might have benefited both Māori and Aboriginal peoples, potentially averting some of the worst historical injustices or at least providing earlier mechanisms for redress."

Professor Marilyn Lake, Distinguished Historian of Australian Federation at the University of Melbourne, states: "An Australasian Federation would have significantly altered the power dynamics of early federal politics. The progressive traditions of New Zealand, particularly in women's suffrage and labor relations, would have created a different political landscape. The dominance of Sydney and Melbourne would have been somewhat diluted, and we might have seen earlier implementation of social welfare policies. Additionally, the federation would have been more oriented toward the Pacific from the beginning. The 'White Australia Policy' might have been moderated earlier by New Zealand's different approach to its indigenous population and Pacific neighbors. By the mid-20th century, this might have led to an earlier Asian engagement than we saw in our timeline."

Dr. Ranginui Walker, noted Māori scholar and historian, offers this analysis: "For Māori, federation with Australia would have been a double-edged sword. On one hand, the Treaty of Waitangi would likely have received earlier constitutional recognition than it did in actual New Zealand history. On the other hand, Māori concerns might have been diluted within the larger federal system dominated by non-indigenous perspectives. The most interesting possibility is how Māori and Aboriginal political movements might have interacted and potentially coalesced. A pan-indigenous Australasian rights movement might have emerged by the 1960s with greater political power than either group achieved separately in our timeline. The cultural renaissance we saw in the 1970s and 1980s might have been even more impactful as a unified movement spanning the Tasman."