NZ-Oz merger finds some mates

Almost two-thirds of New Zealanders thought ease of travel to Australia, and defence, would improve if we became the seventh state. Photo / Supplied

More than 40 per cent of New Zealanders think it's time we talked about becoming Australia's seventh state.

Research firm UMR asked 1000 New Zealanders and Australians questions to gauge their views on a possible union of their countries 110 years after New Zealand chose not to join the Australian Commonwealth.

Of the New Zealanders asked, 41 per cent said the prospect of New Zealand becoming Australia's seventh state was "an idea worth debating".

On the other hand, 58 per cent did not believe the discussion was worth having. One per cent were unsure.

The survey, which has a margin of error of 3 per cent, found New Zealanders believed a union would bring big improvements in the ease of travel to Australia and to our defence status.

Those surveyed believed New Zealanders' lifestyle might improve marginally but our environment might suffer somewhat.

The full results, including Australian attitudes to a union, will be released on Television New Zealand's Q+A on Sunday morning.

Almost two-thirds of New Zealanders thought ease of travel to Australia, and defence, would improve if we became the seventh state, while about half thought our lifestyle and environment would be unaffected. The six colonies of Australia federated into the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory have since been added.

The Australian constitution provided for New Zealand to join but this country decided to remain separate.

The two economies were always entwined but that process speeded up with Closer Economic Relations in 1983. Work towards a single economic market has been advanced by successive Governments since then.

LATE ADDITION

Do you think that NZ becoming the seventh state of Australia is an idea worth debating?

Yes - 41 per cent
No - 58 per cent
Unsure - 1 per cent