Kiwis open to Australia merger

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MORE than 40 per cent of New Zealanders think it's time the South Pacific nation considered becoming Australia's seventh state, according to a survey of more than 1000 people.

The research, conducted by UMR, asked residents on both sides of the Tasman for their views on a possible union of the countries, 110 years after New Zealand chose not to join the Australian Commonwealth, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Of the New Zealanders asked, 41 per cent said the prospect of New Zealand becoming Australia's seventh state was "an idea worth debating".

On the other hand, 58 per cent did not believe the discussion was worth having. One per cent were unsure.

The survey, which has a margin of error of three per cent, found New Zealanders believed a union would bring big improvements in the ease of travel to Australia and to the defence status of the nation of four million people.

The six colonies of Australia federated into the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory have since been added.

The Australian constitution provided for New Zealand to join but the country decided to remain separate.

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world...i-1225840304275

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In other news, 80% of Australians voted to become part of the nation of Nauru