Political Report: January 30

Some big anniversaries of the trans-Tasman relationship are looming.

Next year marks 30 years since the Closer Economic Relationship was officially formed and 2015 the Gallipoli landing, and of course, the official start of the ANZAC spirit.

Those dates were clearly on the minds of the leaders of our countries as they met this weekend.

Julia Gillard this weekend described our relationship as "world class" and her and John Key were at pains to talk about how close they are and how our countries are "like family".

But in truth, like the younger and perhaps annoying siblings we are, we're always on the back foot.

Our prime minister went in to this weekend's annual bilateral meeting with his Aussie counterpart full of hope and promise.

There was talk of making it easier for the 100,000 Kiwis who live permanently across the Tasman but are to some extent left "displaced" to gain residency.

They arrived in the lucky country after 2001, meaning they aren't eligible for welfare payments including emergency grants at times of natural disasters like the Queensland floods or Victorian bushfires.

Mr Key promised to push the issue with the hope the Aussies will eventually relax the laws.

But Ms Gillard seems reluctant, citing financial considerations. Both leaders seemed awkward and loath to talk about it.

Over time, it will happen.

But there's little Mr Key can do now and the last thing he's going to do is push it very hard because he wants to keep the relationship warm and cozy.

And what can we do about it? At the end of the day it's an Australian government issue and we have little to offer in return.

The never ending controversy over apples is another example of our minnow status.

As has become something of a habit, John Key and Julia Gillard made a bet on the Rugby World Cup – the losing nation would have to eat an apple from the other country.

Kiwi apples are Australia's forbidden fruit and it's a hard bet for Ms Gillard to have to swallow.

But as yet, she hasn't taken a bite out of a juicy Kiwi Granny Smith. In public anyway. This weekend's visit seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Last year, Mr Key lost a bet that saw him having to stand in front of an Australian flag.

He completed his part of the bet – so it's a bit awkward for New Zealand that Ms Gillard won't carry out hers.