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Aussie and Kiwi Rivalry

We Sling off at Each Other, but we are Still Mates

By Ian McKenziePublished 5 years ago 4 min read
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Australians tell jokes about New Zealanders and vice versa. Our countries are close geographically and in many other respects. We have fought together, everyone has heard of the ANZAC’s, Australian and New Zealand Army Corp, and there is even a popular biscuit named in the honour of these soldiers.

Another culinary delight which is common to both Australia and New Zealand is the dessert known as Pavlova. Both Aussies and Kiwis claim it as theirs and even supposedly authoritative sources will differ as to which country had it first. But, the hard meringue shell smothered in fruit and fresh cream is very definitely Australian. It was named in honour of the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova by a restaurant in Western Australia. The original New Zealand version of Pavlova may have preceded the ballerinas visit to Western Australia, but was a very different dessert.

Both New Zealand and Australia are world leaders in some areas. One of these is the women’s right to vote and the right to stand for parliament. New Zealand was first with the right for women to vote. That happened in 1893. The state of South Australia (SA) followed soon after in 1895. But SA also gave women the right to stand for parliament in the same year. Women were not able to stand for parliament in New Zealand until 1919. The Australian Commonwealth gave women both the right to vote, and to stand for parliament in 1902, being the first country in the world to do this.

However, I should give credit where it is due. Both Aussies and Kiwis are sports loving nations. There is a rugby union competition called the Bledisloe Cup for which the national teams of both countries compete. Aussie team is called the Wallabies and the Kiwi team is called the All Blacks. As an Aussie, I am ashamed to tell the score from the most recent match, but suffice it to say, the Wallabies were thrashed.

Okay, I shall be honest. Kiwis are better at somethings other than football, than we Aussies are. One of those things is marketing. I shall give two examples; one being a type of honey, the other a fruit.

Manuka is the Maori name for the tree from which it comes, and Manuka honey is much more expensive than most other honey, as it is claimed that it has beneficial ingredients that other honeys don’t have, or have in very small amounts. The botanical name of the shrub called Manuka is Leptospernum Scoparium. It is a native of both Australia and New Zealand, but is much more widespread in Australia.

The name of a fruit coined by the Kiwis is Kiwi fruit. Successful marketing by New Zealanders has resulted in this fruit generally being known as Kiwi Fruit. It was originally called Chinese Gooseberries and is a native plant of central and western China.

New Zealand has a Prime Minister who people from many countries worldwide would be happy to have replace their current person in charge. Jacinda Ardern won the world over with her grace and leadership following the massacre at the mosque in Christchurch earlier this year. If she could magically replace the current president of the United States, for example, not only would the US become a better place, even great again, but the whole world would be safer.

Unfortunately, anyone who becomes well known for whatever reasons will have their critics. And, Jacinda Arden has a very vocal, arrogant and misogynistic one is Australia. Allan Jones known as a shock jock with an Australian broadcasting network verbally tore Jacinda Ardern to shreds last week.

In his tirade he said the following:

"She’s now struggling to live up to all her self-generated hype. This light weight New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern is challenging Scott Morrison over climate change."

"Now I hope Scott Morrison gets tough here with a few backhanders."

"Hasn’t got a clue this woman."

"She’s a clown Jacinda Ardern, a complete clown."

"I just wonder if Scott Morrison’s going to be fully briefed to shove a sock down her throat."

"I mean she is a joke this woman, an absolute and utter lightweight."

This is the same announcer who a few years ago suggested the then female Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, should be tied up in a chaff bag and thrown overboard. Also, that her father had died of shame. Gillard’s father had only decently died.

Not only is Jones a misogynist, but he also advocates violence against women. How such a nasty individual can have the following he has and be paid the massive salary he receives is beyond my understanding. He is a climate change denier, and has no tolerance for scientists and others with differing views.

Since his outburst there has been some positive outcomes. Several of the advertisers have withdrawn their advertisements from his show, and management at the broadcasting network have warned Jones that a future tirade against Ardern will result in him being sacked.

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About the Creator

Ian McKenzie

Lover of life and all it has to offer. Retired from full-time employment, but keeping busy with things I am passionate about including: family, friends, photography, writing, sustainability and keeping Australian native stingless bees.

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