I know a lot of Taiwanese people so I'll speak to them (not New Zealand). Chinese people are VERY compliant, obedient, whatever similar term you care to use especially with anything related to family (also very multi-generational - not any of this I want to move out when I turn 18 - so children return after college, grandparents live with or near) - in short, they are much more family centered than Americans who tend to be more independent, live alone, etc. They are much MORE likely to wear masks, social distance, not travel, stay home, cook healthy, etc. They are also very much into chinese medicine, building up immunity, exercise - healthy living compared to Americans and most importantly, would do ANYTHING to protect the family.
They also all think very alike - unlike Americans - who come from every race, creed, background, cultures, geography (city/rural). It is much easier to get them to buy into any program such as a national/mandatory mask program - and the laws are not like the US (where our rights and liberties are encoded) - nor are they litigious, prone to go against authority, protest in streets, etc.
That very DIVERSITY that makes America great - makes it difficult for everyone to buy into any one thought/idea/reason.