In the 1980s the AMWU influenced the NZEU with respect to education and training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the specific details of this relationship. It involved an extensive review of government policy documents and union literature. The study also involved twenty-three interviews in Australia and New Zealand. The findings confirmed and enhanced the previous observations about the influence of the AMWU. Not only did they identify in more depth the nature of the trans-Tasman influence; they also identified important similarities and differences between the contexts in which the two unions were operating. Specifically, the study found that whereas the AMWU had a long history and could be identified as pro-active; the NZEU came to education and training reform in response to labour market deregulation.