Norfolk Island 'should become part of New Zealand', former minister says

A former Norfolk Island minister says Australia is turning the island into a "welfare state". Photo / Getty

A former Norfolk Island chief minister says the island should consider cutting ties with Australia and become part of New Zealand.

Andre Nobbs, a former chief minister of Norfolk Island, says New Zealand is regarded "with great affection" and a closer relationship with the country would greatly benefit the island.

Norfolk Island lost its autonomous territory status in 2016, after a takeover by the Australian government.

Nobbs says the island, now governed by New South Wales, is turning into "a welfare state".

"Everyone has had 12 months to evaluate the performance and integrity of the Australian government in the imposed changes and I think the Australian government has acted very poorly in very destructive ways to the heritage, the people and the culture," Nobbs told The Guardian.

"New Zealand is regarded with great affection. The relationship between New Zealand and Norfolk Island has always been far, far stronger than the relationship with Australia. I would have no issue with a free association with New Zealand if that was what our people wanted."

The island is actually geographically closer to New Zealand than it is to Australia and it is believed to have once been part of the same continent as New Zealand - Zealandia.

An academic expert in comparative politics, however, says it is unlikely that Norfolk Island will ever become part of New Zealand.

Speaking to The Guardian, Jon Fraenkel of Victoria University, says New Zealand would not "disturb its relations with Canberra".

"I think it is inconceivable that Norfolk Island could divorce itself completely from Australia and link itself up to New Zealand. I can't imagine that happening. But the reason to discuss it is because New Zealand has these very interesting free-association agreements, particularly with Cook Islands and Niue," he said.

He does think the island has a chance to be successful in its current United Nations bid for self-determination.