New Zealand is a Pacific island country and member of the junior Anglosphere group (with Canada and Australia) that has kept its public debt low.
In 1991, in response to sovereign-ratings downgrades, New Zealand enacted the "mother of all budgets"—deep austerity combined with strict budget rules enforcing long-termism. The budget is also known as "Ruthanasia", after then-finance minister Ruth Richardson. The reforms remain politically divisive but helped make New Zealand one of a handful of rich countries that avoided a large run-up in debts in the 21st century.
On November 24th 2025 New Zealand imposed restrictions on gender-affirming care for children, joining several countries that have limited or banned puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors.
New Zealand abolished agricultural subsidies in the 1980s and replaced them with nothing. It ended up with an innovative, market-oriented farming industry. Britain places itself in the same group as New Zealand and the Netherlands—countries with small herds and high output. But it needs to control agriculture, too, not least because its cows belch so much climate-altering methane. With few carrots to offer, it has struggled to rein in emissions.
How wonderful opera would be if there were no singers.