Kiwis are mocking overseas pundits over their claims New Zealand is in a "never-ending nightmare" run by Jacinda Ardern.
Being one of the most successful countries in the world in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, news of a fresh alert level 4 lockdown following a new community case in Auckland made headlines around the world.
This led to controversy, with Kiwis hitting back at foreign hot takes on social media.
"New Zealand has just been plunged into a nationwide lockdown with all vaccinations cancelled because of one COVID case," tweeted GB News presenter Dan Wootton, who was born in New Zealand.
"That's right, ONE case of a virus we all know we have to learn to live with. Jacinda Ardern's Zero COVID fantasy is nothing short of a never-ending nightmare."
Wootton, who is not an epidemiologist, is having his comments savaged by Kiwis online, with several accusing him of being a "dickhead".
"Vaccinations haven't been cancelled. The centres have two days to make sure they can socially distance people properly. That's it. And it's five cases this morning because we know how Delta spreads - we've seen other governments lose control of it. You're a dickhead," one person responded.
"Look if Delta spreads a lot of people are going to die. Think about how our health system is already stretched to breaking point *without any COVID*. We don't have the capacity to take risks. We just don't," added conservative columnist Liam Hehir.
Among the other overseas commentators weighing in with their views is US journalist Max Blumenthal, who claimed the lockdown is part of a "technocracy" intending for Kiwis to only communicate through "heavily surveilled digital channels".
"Media darling Jacinda Ardern orders New Zealanders to stay in their fear bubbles and not to talk to their neighbours because of ONE positive COVID test," he wrote.
This was countered by people pointing out the success of New Zealand's COVID-19 eradication programme compared to the US' strategies, which have resulted in mass death, especially of the elderly.
"There are now five cases. This is how diseases work - it starts with one case. The Kiwi response has led to less restrictions, less deaths, lower unemployment, and it is supported by the leader of the right-wing opposition party," one person noted.
UK far-right politician Nigel Farage also gave his two cents on Twitter, saying: "Jacinda Ardern has lost her marbles" and labelling New Zealand "the land of panic".
"I doubt you would have the heart to say this to the family of the over 150,000 dead from COVID in the UK. Considering we have less than 30 dead and less than 5000 cases, I suggest you shut it," one Kiwi retorted.
