Party leaders uniformly reject New Zealand becoming Australia’s seventh state
Tuesday, 3 February 2026
If there’s one thing party leaders from all sides of the political spectrum can agree on, it’s that New Zealand should not become Australia’s seventh state.
National Party pollster David Farrar’s op-ed in The Post suggesting the two countries should join forces in the new world of international power politics drew mixed reviews, but politicians are standing firm.
Farrar argued New Zealand might need the protection of Australia as the rules-based order broke down and the international system became more based on might.
“This won’t be happening,” said a spokesperson from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s office.
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“New Zealand values our close relationship with Australia, but we also value our unique national identity and our sovereignty.”
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said New Zealand was an independent country and would not ever ever be part of Australia.
“If we had a Government which stood up for what is right, fought off tariffs and created opportunities for well-paying jobs we would be a lot better off.”
More positively, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said Australia had a capital gains tax, a more progressive income tax system, better union bargaining and stronger worker protections.
“These are all basic things we could do to improve New Zealanders quality of life without needing to give up our sovereignty, identity or decision making.”
“If National Party pollsters are interested in upholding the rules-based international system, they could also choose to lobby the Prime Minister to operate with principle and consistency to protect international human rights and recognise the sovereignty of people such as Palestinians, instead of consistently and fruitlessly flirting with Donald Trump’s ego.”
ACT leader David Seymour said as long as New Zealand was pulling its weight in the Anzac alliance, it was not clear what benefits would come from merging countries.
“The two countries are bound to defend each other for geographic reasons anyway. One country being invaded would give the invader a stepping stone to the other.”
Seymour argued becoming an Australian state would be a downgrade, saying New Zealand’s policy was superior in many ways.
“For example, if you have ever filled out a tax return to the Australian Federal Government, you will have a whole new appreciation of New Zealand tax laws that you’ve never previously thought possible.“
NZ First and Te Pāti Māori were approached for comment.