Yes, but the article is about California. I am not sure how that is relevant. Also, New Zealand's population is less than that of SF Bay Area and one of the l

Yes, but the article is about California. I am not sure how that is relevant. Also, New Zealand's population is less than that of SF Bay Area and one of the lowest density states in the world (hence more per capita access to resources). There will be similar sized patches in the US with similar levels of low corruption.