Pavlova palaver

Relations are usually very good between New Zealand and Australia. But one argument just won’t go away. For years, Australia and New Zealand have not been able to agree who invented both countries’ favourite dessert. And now, the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has got involved. “It's totally ridiculous for Australians to claim that they invented pavlova,” Mr Key told The Independent newspaper. The pavlova is a meringue dessert topped with fruit and cream. Australians say they invented it in 1935, but recipes have been found in New Zealand cookbooks from much earlier. According to New Zealanders, the pavlova isn’t the only thing Australia has “stolen” from them. The famous racehorse Phar Lap was often called "Australia's wonder horse", even though he was born in New Zealand. And Hollywood star Russell Crowe is actually a Kiwi who moved to Australia when he was four. “Everyone knows that iconic New Zealand items like pavlova and Phar Lap are ours,” said Mr Key, who then joked, “But on a bad day, we'll lend you Russell Crowe."