Between the 1950s and 1970s Britishness declined as the foundation of national identity in Australia and New Zealand. This was primarily due to external shocks for the two countries: the UK’s application for entry into the EEC was the starting point for both countries. The UK’s withdrawal from East of Suez in 1967 was the end point of the process in both Australia and New Zealand. The decline of the British connection led to a shift from an ethnic-centred citizenship to a more civic-based one – that was more inclusive of other ethnic groups and Indigenous peoples in both countries. The high points in Australia were the British Nationality and Australian Citizenship Act of 1967, the Australian Citizenship Act of 1973, the awarding of the right to vote for Aborigines in 1960, and the 1967 referendum, which gave the Commonwealth power to legislate for Aborigines. In New Zealand the key points were the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act of 1959, the Citizenship and Aliens Act of 1977, and the Maori Affairs Amendment Acts of 1967 and 1974. The paper will draw comparisons between the Australian and New Zealand experiences and offer some explanations for any similarities and differences.