ABSTRACT
Globalization is a challenging context within which to consider the already complex debate about New Zealand's colonial past and its appropriate national identity for the future. This chapter investigates some aspects of the implications for national identity in an increasingly globalized world through the case study of New Zealand cutting its ties with Britain, a move which seems to run against 'globalizing' trends of building links between nations. It argues that, should New Zealand choose to cut its colonial ties with Britain, the Treaty requires that 'the Crown' (as the Treaty partner) should be replaced by something other than government, preferably offshore, compatible with both the vision of the Treaty of Waitangi and an increasingly 'globalized' world. This case study secondarily raises general questions about the relationship between national identity and globalization – national identity need not be about complete autochthony, but rather about acknowledging and benefiting from links with other nations as a part of national identity.
