This was addressed by Ronald D. Moore. In brief, the Earth is a garden paradise **except for New Zealand, which is apparently overrun by rapscallions and ne'er-do-wells.**

> **Q. Hey, Ron...if there is no crime on Earth, why are there established penal
colonies in New Zealand? Hmmmmm??**
> 
> **RD.M:** Actually, the only criminals left on Earth are in New Zealand so it only made sense to put the prison there.
> 
> <sub><sup>[AOL Chat][1]</sub></sup>


  [1]: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Memory_Alpha:AOL_chats/Ronald_D._Moore/ron009.txt