when did the Canadians become so enamored of, and deem themselves of having superior insight to, Kiwi culture?

I really don't know. That is VERY WEIRD.

Then again, my university has a pretty active Russian and German department. Russian? In Newfoundland? The place where 97% of people identify themselves as originating from the British Isles (I got that from a StatsCan document, BTW). I guess you never can guess what will interest people!