> [NZ is] remote, defensible, politically and socially stable, self-sufficient in food and many materials.

And easy to (mostly - except for satellite connections) cut off from internet, since there exist only few sea cables to NZ that have to be cut:

> https://www.submarinecablemap.com/

Interesting, but I’d actually view New Zealand as one of the countries on the hit list. If there was a nuclear war between the US and Russia/China, there are enough nuclear weapons that you’re not only hitting the US and UK (which you’re for sure fighting against), but also Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Because if you take the US out while also getting taken out but don’t take out the allies, you didn’t really “win” the war.

A nuclear winter is planet wide no? With which aspect being in the southern hemisphere helps?

Most nuclear targets are in the northern hemisphere and most atmospheric circulation follows lines of latitude or regional patterns.

While a full on nuclear winter would eventually have global effects, not everywhere would be impacted equally in terms of severity or duration. The most severe effects would be felt in the north. For a more limited exchange with regional or continental wide effects, there are few regions in the north not at risk of such a conflict. With a pattern of impact driven by latitudinal or regional weather patterns, the impact on the southern hemisphere of any regional northern conflict are likely to be minimal.