I was living in HK pre covid overlooking a major police station. In the middle of the night I saw the police reinforcements coming from mainland china in plain windowless vans. These guys had full kevlar, shields, big guns and looked more like a soldier than a copper.
Meanwhile in Oz for 20 months Ive had 3 weeks of lockdowns where you can still exercise outside 2 hours a day and go shopping when you want. Rest of time life is normal except no travelling. At least here we have stood up to the PRC. So your representation of NZ/Oz is incorrect.