ET - I'm the first to call bull**** on a lot of NZ boasting, but adjusted for population size, GDP, size of aerospace industry, distance from foreign markets etc. when it comes to aerospace innovation Aoteoroa punches well above its weight.
*it has a viable domestic manufacturer of airframes (Pacific)
*a nascent domestic rocket manufacturer
*an airline that achieved FAA crash-worthiness certification for domestically built monuments and seats (no small feat in itself).
*an innovator of an entirely new class of LSA (Martin)
*a possible future manufacturer of rotary wing airframes - notwithstanding a crash or two (KC-518)
I'm sure I could think of more, given a bit more time.
All in a country of around 4.5 million people where the main occupation is growing grass.
Your comparisons of the aerospace industries of major Northern Hemisphere nations (even Oz) to NZ doesn't stand analysis.
And I speak as a kiwi, resident in Australia.