Mapping Australasia

Abstract

Abstract History Compass divides the world into regions, one of which is an ‘Australasia and Pacific’ section. But where and what is Australasia? Does Australasia simply mean Australia and New Zealand? What happened to this idea over time, and does it exist in the twenty‐first century? This article examines the mapping of Australasia since the name ‘Australasia’ entered European language and consciousness in the eighteenth century. Informed by post‐colonial history yet following traditional archival practice, the method comprises analysis of a sequence of digitised maps in the National Library of Australia, which are available on‐line, followed by a set of maps of Australasia attached to this article, which are reproduced courtesy of the National Library of New Zealand. Three conclusions follow from the cartographic evidence. First, historical maps of Australasia exemplify how the act of naming is not neutral and reflects shifts in global power. Second, Australia and New Zealand share a history; and third, an ‘Antipodean’, ‘oceanic’ perspective as advocated by J. G. A. Pocock suggests that Australia and New Zealand may have a common future in a ‘new’ Australasia.