New Zealand chose their bed. They could have been like France and placed more emphasis on diversification and independence (the French does not extradite their

New Zealand chose their bed. They could have been like France and placed more emphasis on diversification and independence (the French does not extradite their own people), or be like Switzerland and accumulate high technology and dominate finance. Instead they let themselves become yet another junior partner in the anglosphere. Their only export of value is their real estate which provides excellent sanctuary for billionaires seeking refuge from geopolitical uncertainties. They could also have been like India and remain non-aligned, or been like Israel and have lobbyists that punch above their weight. Instead they chose to let themselves to be walked over, and let their citizens be extradited at the behest of foreign powers. The country places more emphasis on liberal popularism than effective governance. Clearly giving hugs on camera and issuing mask mandates is more important than solving the real estate crisis.