This was published 6 years ago
Could Australia's Norfolk Island become a part of New Zealand?
By Harrison Christian
Norfolk Island, a tiny Australian island in the South Pacific Ocean, is geographically closer to New Zealand than Australia.Credit: Shutterstock
Norfolk Island is a Pacific paradise that's part of Australia, even though it's closer to New Zealand — and some residents wouldn't mind switching allegiances.
It served as a British penal colony before it was settled by 200 descendents of the mutineers from Captain Bligh's ship, The Bounty.
Since 1914, the island has been an external territory of Australia. It was self-governing for 40 years until Canberra dissolved its parliament and set up a new regional council to run it, subject to New South Wales law.
On Norfolk, a place of pine-studded cliffs and clear waters, the move by Australia is unpopular among locals.
In fact, Andre Nobbs, a former chief minister of the disbanded Norfolk Island government, says he's open to the island becoming a territory of New Zealand.
"Me personally, I would have no problem with that at all."
Unlike Australia, New Zealand generally allows its territories to govern themselves rather than being an overbearing host, he said.
"New Zealand has a track record of working with those territories to make them productive. Australia wants to turn Norfolk Island into a welfare state."
The place is in fact geographically closer to "Kiwi", as the islanders call us, than Australia, and is part of the submarine ridge that joins us with New Caledonia.
Nobbs said the Australian government's management of the island has been distressing for residents.
"The main change has been a complete disempowerment," he said. "There's a huge difference between the propaganda and the perception and the reality people on the island are having to deal with."
With its local GST system scrapped, residents are having to pay federal income and company tax for the first time, as well as land rates to the new council.
Many islanders, who tend to be asset rich and cash poor - especially the elderly - are struggling to pay the new levies.
"Even though the economy has been going downward since the Australian government took over, the imposed taxes have all increased quite substantially.
"Starting this year they arbitrarily doubled the land rates. There's been quite a forced assimilation and a forced displacement for these people."
So how could New Zealand take Norfolk Island off Australia's hands?
A resistance movement of islanders is in the process of having the island's right to govern itself recognised by the United Nations.
If successful, Norfolk Island could remain a territory of a host country but once again have its own parliament and make its own laws.
"In the process of self-determination there is that opportunity for other nations - like New Zealand, or Britain - to say well we would like to have a relationship with you."
However, Nobbs said our government had been conspicuously silent about the changes happening on Norfolk, and the resulting protest.
"I am very disappointed that the New Zealand government hasn't had a bit more to say about this. I understand there are sensitivities to trade and things like that, but over the top of that is what is right for people.
"If the New Zealand government was to show an interest, then perhaps it could be an opportunity to have a trans-Tasman panel to evaluate what's going on."
In response, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said: "This is a matter for the Australian government and Norfolk Island residents.
"It is not appropriate for New Zealand to comment on Australia's domestic policy.
"This issue has not been raised with us by anyone from Norfolk Island, nor from the Australian Government," the spokesperson said.
Stuff.co.nz
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