Yes, the simple reality is that the Asian countries have handled outbreaks much better than any European country, and it's just plain wrong to say it be was because of heavy-handed government. In fact, the big exception is China to the most heavy handed of the lot, who let it get out of control in the first place.
I expect to get slammed for this, but I was left surprised at the UK reaction to lockdown there compared to here. There was a lot of: surely I can still do this, it doesn't matter if I quickly do that; such and such saw so and so, so I think I can too, I'll just be a little bit careful, exceptions to the right, exceptions to the left. And most notoriously you had senior government officials meeting in person despite covid exposure, and driving half way up the country, taking the virus with them because they were So Important. No ramifications, from the government or the public. And this from a country that prides itself in its ability to respond to a crisis with unity and resolve.
Here, instead, people really did just stay home. There wasn't any quibbling. We had the health minister who drove to a large open space and went for a cycle ride. No one around, but still a breach of the rules. He apologised and was only kept in his job to avoid disruption mid-pandemic. He didn't give a press conference to justify his behaviour - in person FFS - and he didn't have anyone defending him.
It's true that it's easier to contain the virus in NZ due to low population densities - I don't agree with earlier comments to the contrary, but Asian countries with much higher densities also did better than Western ones.