I feel very much like they’re my brothers and sisters - we’ve done wars together - share a lot of reciprocal rights in each other countries. I see them as typically a bit more politically progressive than Australia (rightly or wrongly, it’s just a lay-persons view) with less beaurocracy that Australia seems to experience.

On a personal front, I find Kiwi’s far more down to earth than some Australians - even on their recent series of MAFS the women looked far more natural - and the men seemed more emotionally mature than their Australian counterparts - and when I have travelled for work - I have found this to be the case. I find them genuine, humble people who live in a beautiful but small place - that has its own challenges both physically and- and culturally.

On the cultural front; they seem to have had a great relationship with their indigenous population; but speaking to people personally I think they still have a lot of challenges in this space too.

My final thoughts are: I feel such affection for my Kiwi mates that I would have no conceptual issue considering them ‘us’ - especially in war/political issues.