Well this law was snuck in as one of the last acts of a government who was way behind in a poles going into an election.

It got basically 0 coverage in NZ. I only herd about it via an international site.
The issue got international attention and international personalities (who I am thankful for) raised its profile.

After this it got awareness in mainstream NZ, the people protested and the new government removed it. (as it wasn't their law they had an easy out)

I haven't herd them critise the old government 1 bit and this would be a perfect chance and they do over _every_thing else.

As a programmer I find (in regards to security) that fear is often overridden by laziness