As I remember it, the Kiwis had their chance back in the 80s, and blew it.
New Zealand is not only the oldest socialist country, but the ONLY one to every significantly roll back their socialism Non-Violently.
How it happened (as best I can recall, without rooting around on the hard drive) - back in the 80s, the Kiwi government piled up SO MANY LAWS AND REGULATIONS on commerce, that they actually brought the entire national economy to a STANDSTILL.
Regulation-Constipation.
Severe economic double-plus-ungoodness.
The President/Prime Minister (whatever - the head leftist goof) went on national TV and delivered a weepy, drunken, resignation speech that stands in history as New Zealand's greatest humiliation.
Many of the brainless laws were rolled back. But global economic conditions (and stupidity) caused the Kiwis to go back to their socialist ways after several years. (the exact time frame eludes me at present)
Within the past three years I remember reading an article that said that the Auckland area had the highest suicide rate among teenagers (or people under 25 - I don't remember exactly) in the WORLD.
It is tragic, but New Zealand appears to be (for the time-being) hopeless - as far as moving AWAY from socialism is concerned.
Feel free to correct me on the details here - this is the best I can do at 4:42AM without further research.
And don't they have that transexual person as their Head Goof down there now? At the swearing-in ceremony the parliment sang: "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow".
I kid you not.
Horrible, horrible...