Taking on the local council over stupid historical-accident religon-based laws that actively damage a major local industry during difficult economic times is one thing. Taking on your national government, and directly challenging the authority and interests of the US at the same time, is quite another.

I'm not trying to be defeatist, but you'd need massive civil disobedience Ukraine-style before NZ decides to soften its stance on "piracy" (or more properly, copyright infringement).