Perhaps because over the course of the pandemic only 50 people have died in NZ from Covid. Going through MIQ and the systems built around it has enabled seeding events to be limited to only several incursions supporting elimination and then suppression strategies.

It’s interesting, NZ is a very egalitarian society and it has been one of the strengths through the pandemic to date. People were/are willing to adhere to strict lockdowns (proper ones) or quarantine at the border because it was for the greater good of the entire society rather than ‘what was best’ for a handful of individuals.

> This makes no sense at all. Your life would have been strictly easier if MIQ didn't exist, so why are you grateful for it?

Some people have empathy for others and aren't purely selfish

there would be lots of covid all over new zealand and therefore his everyday normal life would be worse than it might be now with minimal covid spread?