Trans-Tasman is an adjective used primarily to signify the relationship between Australia and New Zealand. The term refers to the Tasman Sea, which lies between the two countries. For example, trans-Tasman commerce refers to commerce between these two countries.

  • A trans-Tasman flight is a flight between Australia and New Zealand.
  • The Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement is an agreement between Australia and New Zealand allowing their citizens free movement between the two countries.
  • The Trans-Tasman Trophy is a Test cricket trophy.

Trans-Tasman events

  • November–December 1642: In a Dutch expedition captained by Abel Tasman, the Heemskerck and Zeehaen cross the Tasman Sea from Tasmania (Lutruwita, then inhabited by indigenous Tasmanians) to the South Island (Te Waipounamu, Te Waka-a-Māui, inhabited by the Kāti Māmoe and other Māori).
  • 18 February 1876: The first trans-Tasman submarine communications cable is completed, allowing telegraph communications between New Zealand and the rest of the world.
  • 3 February 1908: first trans-Tasman radio transmission (via HMS Powerful in Tasman Sea).

thumb|Moncrieff and Hood's Ryan B.1 Aotearoa', Mascot, Sydney, 10 January 1928

thumb|Airplane Southern Cross at Mascot Sydney, January 1933

  • 10 January 1928: Moncrieff and Hood vanish without trace during the first trans-Tasman flight attempt.
  • 10 September 1928: Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his three-man crew complete the first successful trans-Tasman flight.
  • 7 January 1931: Guy Menzies flies the first solo non-stop trans-Tasman flight (from Australia to New Zealand) in 11 hours and 45 minutes, crash-landing on New Zealand's west coast.
  • 30 April 1940: Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) begins commercial trans-Tasman flights between Auckland and Sydney using Short S.30 flying boats.
  • 11 April 1965: Qantas begins commercial trans-Tasman jet service, between Christchurch and Sydney using Boeing 707 aircraft.
  • 1969: Anders Svedlund attempted a crossing from New Zealand to Australia; however, he was over-turned five days after leaving from Auckland's Manukau Harbour and returned to New Zealand.
  • 1977: Colin Quincey, an England-born New Zealander, made the first successful human-powered trans-Tasman crossing. He took 63 days 7 hours to row his Yorkshire Dory row-boat from Hokianga, New Zealand to Marcus Beach on the Sunshine Coast of Australia.
  • 24 February 2000: Dick Smith crossed the Tasman Sea in a hot air balloon. The flight was from Kaitaia on the northern tip of New Zealand to Ten Mile Beach in northern New South Wales, Australia. 2167 km were covered in a 55-hour and 12-minute flight.
  • 30 December 2007: Four Australians, led by Steven Gates, departed from Hokianga, New Zealand on 29 November. They rowed to and arrived in Sydney Harbour on 30 December at 8:15 am, having taken 31 days to make the crossing.
  • 13 January 2008: crossing of the Tasman by kayak completed by Justin Jones and James Castrission; expedition named Crossing the Ditch.
  • March 2010: Shaun Quincey completed the solo row from Australia to New Zealand in March 2010. Shaun is the son of Colin Quincey, who completed the reverse journey in 1977.
  • July 2018: Scott Donaldson completes the first kayak solo row from Coffs Harbour, Australia to New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Trans-Tasman relations

thumb|Australia and New Zealand highlighted in green, in the southern hemisphere of the Earth

Trans-Tasman relations refers to the historical, cultural, political, economic, and social relations between countries within the Trans-Tasman region, namely Australia and New Zealand. The two nations share joint histories and similar cultures, such that there are significant numbers of both populations who embody a transnational identity.

Union community

There is a shift in the largest union communities Australian Council of Trade Unions and New Zealand Federation of Labour towards a global solidarity. This shift can be seen through the cultural recognition of a Trans-Tasman world of work.

Arts and culture

Cultural relations in the Trans-Tasman support a cooperative relationship with the sharing of art between Australian and New Zealand galleries. However, the two become competitors when seeking to secure international blockbuster exhibitions and audiences. Prime Minister Fraser from Australia and Prime Minister Muldoon from New Zealand committed themselves to a liberalisation of the economy for goods from both countries and proposed tax reductions. Since then, future prime ministers have reflected this trade liberalisation. The Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement signed in 1983 has been used to guide trade between Australia and New Zealand.

The two nations have an economic power imbalance however, as Australia plays a more important role in the New Zealand economy than New Zealand does for Australia. Australia in comparison will conduct more trade with North and East Asia. As such their bilateral relationship can be uneven and relies on the consulting and weighing of concerns.

Memorandum of Understanding 1992

In 1996, Australia and New Zealand agreed to create a single market for air transport that was distinct from the previous agreements which were more restrictive. Some notable changes that affect Trans-Tasman travel include allowing Australia and New Zealand to operate in each other's domestic markets.

This was followed by an endorsement of the open skies agreement under the International Civil Aviation Organization in 2007 which further allowed Australia and New Zealand's international flights to operate in each other's domains beyond to third countries without restriction. There are a range of cruise ships including those from companies Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Group, Holland America, Silversea and Oceania Cruises. Private vessels are also allowed to cross this Sea.

By flight

Flights across the Tasman have been made by a range of aircraft including winged aircraft, airships, and balloons. There has been a cyclical movement between the two countries, but a strong net movement towards Australia since the late 1960s. Many migrants between the countries have reported a sense of transnationalism where they are able to feel at home in both Australia and New Zealand.

This migration is attributable to economic development driven by globalisation, technological change, business cycles, demographic dynamics, and perceptions. Migration specifically from New Zealand to Australia can be attributable to dissatisfaction and desire for change or a sense of newness. However, 15% of people have stated their migration to Australia was because of temporary travel, and then a decision to stay.

There has been historically a legal connection between the case law of the two countries. Problem solving courts within this region are evolving to better capture Trans-Tasman relations.

Trans-Tasman sports

Sports is popular across both Australia and New Zealand, and both countries participate together in a range of sporting competitions. The nations share an interest in sports law and the governing rules of leagues for sports they compete together on, and those which they compete in separately. Legislators across the nations have taken to addressing legal concerns cooperatively and independently. It has a considerable influence across the Trans-Tasman for its function at the intersection of culture, tourism, economics and health.