New Zealand is a relatively short flight across the Tasman Sea from Australia; it is also a former British colony. These two countries are pretty isolated from the rest of the world. Unsurprisingly, they are very similar in many ways.
Both countries speak English exclusively, complete with similar accents. New Zealand TV is mostly Australian TV Channels. Cars drive on the “wrong” side of the road in both countries. The people are all very friendly and approachable. Cuisines largely seemed similar. New Zealand has even been proposed to be added as the 7th Australian state several times.
Still, the countries are different in many ways. Australia is mostly desert – or “outback” – and much larger. New Zealand seemed very green top to bottom, with lots of scenic mountains and lakes. Look up a list of the deadliest/most venomous creatures, and Australia will be home to most of them. New Zealand on the other hand has produced defenseless, flightless birds. Australia’s population (22.3 Mil.) is a little more than 5 times New Zealand’s (4.4 Mil.); in fact, Sydney alone has a larger population than all of New Zealand.