.
.
As well as a comprehensive network of official contacts, there is a huge volume of informal contacts in policy areas that stretches beyond government to non-governmental organisations, business, academia and cultural contacts. All are relevant to the way in which both countries pursue their foreign policy interests together.
The Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement, which took effect on January 1, 1983, enabled the relationship to become closer, creating a free trade area between the two countries and facilitating the development of dramatically increased two-way trade and investment. Economically, our two countries are now enormously important to each other. Australia is New Zealand's largest trading partner and New Zealand is Australia's fourth largest trading partner. Investment has become very substantial, and is broadly .
balanced.
Our close political realations are being show right now thorugh a current affair. New Zealand is willing to process 150 refugees/immigrants, Australia offerent to fund New Zealand to accept them, but New Zealands prime minister, Ms Helen Clark said her country would fund the refugees. Unlike Nauru who are accepting the money. Personally I do not find it is a wise decision for Nauru to accept them even with Australia's funding because thier economy cannot support these people.
- More information on this topic in the new article attached, "Howard's "Pacific soulution" all at Sea".
Link/Comparison Number 3:.
Defence.
While a formal 'marriage' between the countries did not occur, there has always been a strong trans-Tasman sense of family. Migration, trade and defence ties have helped shape that relationship. The ANZAC tradition, originating in 1915 in Gallipoli, did much to cement the bonds.
ANZAC Day on 25 April each year marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought together by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.