Oz and New Zealand may be co-hosting the Women’s World Cup but PM Anthony Albanese is over the ditch on (mostly) non-football matters, meeting with Kiwi PM Chris Hipkins. This year marks 80 years of official relations between our nations, and the meeting had a sentimental vibe as both leaders declared our trans-Tasman entanglement to be in excellent shape. The “special bond” is behind a new commitment to make it faster and easier for Aussies and Kiwis to travel between the nations – though a long-rumoured ‘trans-Tasman passport’ wasn’t on the agenda. The economy, climate change and national security were also discussed – and no meeting is complete without a mention of China these days… Both leaders expressed concern about its growing influence in the Pacific. All that was missing was some vinyl records…