[upnorthkyosa]

I've been doing alot of research on the history of New Zealand...even going so far as to purchase a couple of college textbooks off of Amazon from the University of Christchurch. One thing I've become really interested in is NZ current relationship with the rest of the world community. How is NZ finding its place is this new globalized world? Who are the main countries that NZ currently depends on...why? How is it dealing with the United States quest for global hegemony?

My hope is that NZ is growing and developing as its own nation, with its own character, that is independent from its colonial origins. This is why I keep reading...

[sarahw]

Its quite sad since a lot of NZ comapnies are 'selling out' to overseas companies which isn't going to help NZ in the long-run. So the whole globalization thing I don't think is working for us (others may have other opinions) - I always try to buy NZ made but it is getting harder & harder since most things are now made in China.

Can't really comment on the US homogenization apart from you see places like McD's, Burger King & Starbucks everywhere (as you do elsewhere in the world) - I don't feel the US is really a huge influence on NZ though, & things aren't as commercialised as say the UK - although they seem to thrive on having sales in the shops every 2 minutes!)

However, NZ has negotiated a free trade agreement with China, which I see as quite forward thinking since the US might not be the huge super-power that it is now in the future once China gets going further down the line with economic reforms - have a look for that if you're interested - i think this may be something that may really help NZ exports grow by them getting in there first.

http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Trade-and-Economic-Relations/Trade-Agreements/China/index.php

[gil]

I
However, NZ has negotiated a free trade agreement with China, which I see as quite forward thinking since the US might not be the huge super-power that it is now in the future once China gets going further down the line with economic reforms -
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Trade-and-Economic-Relations/Trade-Agreements/China/index.php

Have to say I found this quite refreshing as it's a sign of the independent minded-ness that NZ prides itself on, but which may not have been that evident to the wider world.
Purely on a personal gut feel since being here - not that long, nearly 3 months- and, (donning flak jacket), it feels that NZ thinks about it's wider community relationships far more than UK. Still get the sense that UK is complacently resting on the laurels of empire and an fog-bound in an amazing inward focus that leads it to believe it is a leader in many areas even though this is patently not the case :exit

Gil

[Super_BQ]

On the cover it appears that NZ will benefit the most from free trade with China. However, one must not forget that China would not be an export super power without the influence from major US corportations that have setup plants there for many decades. In fact, I don't think most of the world would benefit from cheap China imports without first, US's demand for these cheap products.

Can I ask, is it a sellout that NZ companies are being taken over by foreigners? Being more specific, since when does culture and corporation go hand in hand? We need to look at intagible assets like language, historical events, icons like the kiwi bird or who?, etc. which makes cultures invinceable.

I agree Free Trade is a good thing. When I was growing up in Canada the issue of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Act) came about and many feered that Canada's culture would be under attacked. The results today, Americans still call us Canucks despite how our economy is at least 80% tied to their economy. But famous celebrities like Celine Dion, Mike Meyers, Jim Carey, to our top sports players have flocked to the US to the point that we've become a parasite in their nations. Despite, Canada is only 1/10th the population of the US. The maple leaf syrup, Kraft Dinner, & Tim Hortins donuts have always and will be an icon of the country. The gov't has also played a role in making Canada as a nation for humanitarian support - from sending troops to Afghanistan war (UN aid) to debt relief on developing nations in Africa.

It's not hard for NZ to do the same and I do believe NZ does have similar respect. But does the 4 million living in NZ have the same impact to it's brothered nation Australia?

Go Russel Crow. I like Manuka Honey & Marmite. How bout good time with Helen Clark?

BQ

BQ

[Sam B]

Hang on one cotton picking second Super_BQ.... are you saying Marmite is a NZ product???? Surely it's as British as a wet Sunday?

[stu70]

Go Russel Crow. I like Manuka Honey & Marmite. How bout good time with Helen Clark?

BQ
So all Canadians have strange fascination with her I take?:laugh

[veronica]

marmite here is not as we know it, not as we know it..........

the stuff called marmite here is different, as is vegemite, they call the proper stuff ourmate. and it only comes in small jars (although the jars are the right shape)

on the independentness of NZ. its too small to be independent and the small companies here are having to get stuff made in china etc to compete with the big companies that import stuff. (don't forget that business is about making a profit) Heaven forbid the wages here are bad enough without people trying to make things as cheaply as they can be made on the asian continent.

NZ NEEDS other countries, especially Australia, England and USA. because of its small population. Much as you may decry the colonies if it came to a crunch then I feel sure the UK/OZ would be the first sending aid, troops etc to help here. and even though we don't have oil I am sure US would show an interest too. its a bit like siblings, they may say and act bad to each other but when it comes to it they are the first there.