Gallipoli 'sustains NZ-Australia links'

Aboriginal dancers perform the Woggan-ma-gule ceremony on Australia Day in Sydney today. Ian Waldie / Getty Images

Trans-Tasman ties forged at Gallipoli will sustain the unique relationship between New Zealand and Australia, outgoing High Commissioner Allan Hawke said today.

"No two nations on earth share the common values that were forged at Gallipoli," he said as Australia Day was being celebrated in his home country.

"I think that still sustains the relationship, certainly for the immediate future."

Dr Hawke has served two and a half years in Wellington, and has previously described government-to-government relations as being in a golden era.

Asked on National Radio how he saw the future, Dr Hawke said that would depend on what happened after Prime Minister Helen Clark and Prime Minister John Howard left office.

He said that in their relationship, the two prime ministers "exemplify for others how to do business".

Dr Hawke emphasised the importance of personal relationships between political leaders.

"We seem to have a sense, at the political level, that cold, rational objectivity will prevail but it's often as a result of the nature of personal relationships between individuals as to what happens, and how far you make progress," he said.

Dr Hawke said his time in New Zealand had been "wonderful", personally and professionally.

"There's one area where I think my performance will be found wanting -- in the two and a half years I've been here I think we've lost almost every significant sporting event," he said.

Dr Hawke will be replaced next month by John Dauth, Australia's permanent representative at the UN in New York since 2001.

Helen Clark said yesterday New Zealand was "extraordinarily lucky" with the appointment and Mr Dauth's depth of experience meant he could do a very good job.

Dr Hawke said Mr Dauth was an old friend and an extraordinary diplomat.

"He, like I, asked whether this could be his final posting," Dr Hawke said.

"The reason for that is that New Zealand is very high on the pantheon of where high commissioners serve and make a difference, so I think people worth their salt want to see how they can improve the relationship."

Dr Hawke is leaving to become chancellor of the Australian National University.

- NZPA