Here’s a huge country with a tiny population, inhabited only for the last 700 years, and with recent, very limited industrialisation. What's more the abundant wind and rain disperse what pollution there may be. And these islands are thousands of km away from the nearest heavily polluting country ! Easy to be green in such a context !
We've seen some evidence which would suggest your average kiwi is not that bothered.
First of all many of them are farmers, not often the most environmentally minded anywhere. Glyphosate is still used, dairy farmers fertilize chemically, and irrigate pastures from groundwater, packing in much denser numbers of animals. Rare to hear arguments in favour of reducing methane emissions or meat consumption. Vegetarians ? Yes there's always a veggie option, but for personal health or health of the planet ?
The organic boom in Europe is not mirrored here. And there's little sign of the zero waste, re-use, recycle effort we're being exhorted to adopt. Reduce energy consumption ? Improve insulation ? Haven't seen much encouragement.
This is a country with little public transport in all but urban area – reducing car use is taboo. And flight shame among the better off ? A joke. They may be right. This country can't function without planes and cars (and often 4 wheel is the only option).
Extinction rebellion ? They don't know what you're talking about. Millions of victims of climate change crossing borders ? Really ?
True, there has been a strong anti nuclear movement here for years, and now a burgeoning environmental consciousness. But you get the impression that what motivates them is protecting their (admittedly very beautiful) vulnerable country and its lifestyle, rather than the urgent need to save the planet.