New Zealand. Unfair comparison

[Poetryinaction]

NZ seems to be doing exceptionally well regarding number of cases and deaths. Their PM ordered lockdown early and people are saying she has prevented many deaths, if only we had done the same.
I don't doubt that would have helped. But it seems an unfair comparison.
NZ is roughly the same size as the UK, with almost 60 million fewer people. It is easier to tell fewer people, with more space, to lockdown. And easier to avoid the spread when people live in less close proximity.
It is also 600 miles from any other country. There would have been fewer people travelling from Europe into NZ. We had skiiers coming from Italy into the UK.
I know things could have been done differently, but it seems an unfair comparison.
Or am I missing something? I'd love to hear any thoughts on this. Sorry if my figures are out too, I am happy to be corrected.

[Elouera]

Seems New Zealanders have been busy doing other things during lockdown
www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/09/sex-toy-sales-triple-during-new-zealands-coronavirus-lockdown

[PicsInRed]

I fear NZ locked down too early. Lockdown is so eyewateringly expensive and NZ isn't the wealthy country it was in the mid C20th . If NZ sees an uptick in disease (no immunity, few have had it, no vaccine) and have to lockdown again...I honestly have no idea how the majority of individuals and businesses will survive.

Some of the largest and most high profile businesses were either already in difficulty or have been pushed into difficulty. NZ walks a fine line financially, just the reduction in housing investment alone is concerning from a macro economic standpoint.

I hope I'm wrong.

[Poetryinaction]

Interesting perspective, thanks

[VivaLeBeaver]

Interesting point about how they will now have no herd immunity. How long will they not allow foreigners to come into NZ for? Because until a vaccines is found I assume this is what they’ll do? As well as banning returning natives?

[babychange12]

Don't think they can ban returning passport holders but they might force them to self quarantine for 14 days

I agree with op, they are a much smaller country,

Having said that, I feel their PM acted much more decisively than ours

[mbosnz]

As I've said before, it's a hell of a lot easier to do such a comprehensive lockdown when you're a pimple on the butt of the arse end of the world!

And yes, with 5 million as opposed to 55 million.

And I dream of doing lock down in our last home over there. . . huge garden. Huge house with three huge living areas. . . we all had big ol' bedrooms. . .

And no-one would dream of thinking someone shouldn't have a bbq. . .

[sicklycolleague]

My parents live there and are more worried about the economy than actually getting it. It's a hugely expensive country to live in and just doesn't have the same kind of protections (be they consumer, health-wise, etc) that we have in the UK. I'm hoping that they will move back in a few years (difficult though as my mum isn't a British citizen). I found when I tried to live there that it felt like I had no rights and people were accustomed to going without in a way that undermines their own health. Wages are not very high. My flat had no heating, and Wellington is not a warm city.

[Poetryinaction]

A friend of mine compares NZ to Birmingham, saying NZ has prevented 700+ deaths, and is comparable in population. I don't think that's a fair comparison as Birmingham is a densely populated city and there are other factors at play.

[sicklycolleague]

Yeah I don't think that's a fair comparison at all. New Zealand barely has public transport infrastructure to speak of, sparsely populated country, most houses are detached - v easy to self-isolate.

[DW76]

Interesting views. As a kiwi residing in the UK for the last 20-years I agree with prior comments. I think they are going to be in huge financial trouble, they rely on tourism and export - both are severely impacted and tourism will continue to be a problem. The quality of housing is appalling for the money and is now significantly harder for the average kiwi to buy, given wages.

They can't lock the place down from foreigners for 12mths+ and expect not to be bankrupt.

A major concern for many (locking at the 'how much are you drinking...' thread) is they don't sell spirits in their supermarkets. Beer and wine only. One bottle store in Auckland was allowed to stay open but they have now been forced to remove spirits from their shelves as people were flocking from all over Auckland to stock up.

Jacinda Adern has had a tougher run than any prior NZ PM I can recall. They made a call to protect lives and, at present, it is working. In some ways they are in an impossible position re lives vs economy.