Here in Australia we take our desserts very seriously, and no dessert is more quintessentially Aussie than the pavlova. Now, the reignition of a long-standing feud threatens to destroy everything we thought we knew about the treasured dessert.

It all started with a story that seems innocent enough. NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Arden and her fiance Clarke Gayford are currently on Australian shores for speaking engagements. Upon arrival at their Melbourne hotel, the pair came across a divisive note that has waged war. A DIY pavlova kit invited the couple to “indulge in a traditional Australian dessert, the Pavlova, a decadent treat best enjoyed at times of celebration.” Unfortunately this was no cause for celebration, but instead reignited a decades-long dispute over who discovered the iconic treat, Australia or New Zealand? 

Sadly, this isn’t the first time our humble nation has been accused of theft. Both nations in question have laid claim to a long list of things including the lamington, flat white, Anzac biscuit and Russell Crowe. As in any great battle there can only be one winner, and it seems a history lesson could settle this pavlova palaver once and for all. 

Did you know the pavlova was actually named after the famous Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova? She was immortalised in sugar after touring both Australia and New Zealand during the 1920s, causing confusion as to who created the dessert first. After serious investigation, the first known recipe was found in a New Zealand cookbook ‘Davis Dainty Dishes’ in 1929. In fact, this was a whole six years before the first pavlova recipe appeared in Australia, so it seems the Kiwis had first dibs after all. 

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s the irresistible deliciousness of the meringue-based dessert. There’s enough to go around, so let’s put all the stiff-peaked competition behind us and enjoy it shall we? 

Has all this talk got you craving a pavlova? Find a collection of our best pav recipes here.