This "West Island" stuff keeps popping up every now and then. I remember it from when I was still at school - and that was a long, long time ago! I even remember the T-shirts. :)

I doubt it will ever happen. I can't see any NZ pollie wanting to give up having power over a country for power over a state. I can't see Helen Clark giving up being PM to become a state governer.

The big thing that I see stopping any trans-tasman union is the nuclear free stance of NZ - doesn't sit well with little Johnny.