[naturalman1975]

Australia has the experience of being under direct threat in the Second World War, which New Zealand did not have. I think Australians just have a better understanding of the fact that you fight alongside your allies, because one day you might need them fighting alongside you.

While New Zealand has provided fine service in some wars, they still military action as something you undertake to protect others, not out of self protection.

[Aneirin]

New Zealand's participation in WW2 was clearly about self-protection, not just about protecting others. It was part of the collective security of the British Empire, on which our trade routes and economic life then depended. And it was understood as such. New Zealanders would not have been prepared to make such sacrifices otherwise.