That seems overly dismissive. NZ could have been run by a bunch of jackasses like so many other states/nations have been who did nothing but politicize and posture. Sure its an advantage to be on an island but it's one which is easily squandered through negligence - and it wasn't.

I'd say the biggest advantage we had was being too small for Fox News to broadcast here

Quite different demographics here (I live in Otago, southern NZ) many, many people understand enough biology to know to be aware (life sciences is 80% of our economy). Also we have per capita < idiots and selfishness here.

We have to keep covid / Delta out, would collapse health system and kill tens of thousands (especially Polynesians).

Good time to move away from tourism income, helping us bridge to low-carbon, 21st C fit state.

It being an infeasible plan is just a bonus. A permanent emergency means permanent emergency powers.