The other big difference between Oz and NZ is that the NZers seem only generally to use one vowel sound - the long "i", as in "Niver lit yir tint pigs git wit" (never let your tent pegs get wet) :-)

>Terry,
>
>>>I did not know it was that sensitive of an issue - did not mean to offend.
>
>No offence taken. The Aussies and the kiwis are like brothers who scrap a lot ;-)
>
>>>So NZ has the southern cross and Australia has the ______?
>
>Australia has an extra star on the flag and some minor color differences.
>
>>> it seems a big - big - bubble is about to burst (a really big pop). It would be neat to be somewhere with plenty of resources - plenty watee and warm south pacific (or north anarctic?) waters.
>
>Australasia has huge resources. The aussies call themselves "the lucky country" with good reason. NZ has different qualities- in some ways we are to Australia as Canada is to the USA.
>
>Regards
>
>j.R