I would expect if the High Court of New Zealand decides the entire case is illegal and won't extradite him, they would stand up to the US/DOJ/FBI and try to get his assets unfrozen, property returned, etc. etc. If the US/DOJ/FBI don't do so, they would be breaking NZ law.

You might say the US will just laugh in their faces, and while that might be true, it would be horrible publicity (which the US clearly doesn't need right now) and would probably just provide another reason for the rest of the world to give the US the middle finger in general.

It wouldn't be the first time little NZ has stood up to the big guys [1] (see specifically 1984) (This was a very, very big deal when it happened)

[1]http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/campaigns/nuclear/n...

The NZ government froze $11m in NZ bank accounts. The US can't touch that without the NZ Govt sending it abroad, as far as I know.

He's not an idiot. Maybe he has to give up his multi-million dollar house but him and his group of highly-technical colleagues have not a lot holding them back this minute from starting over, aside perhaps initial funding for hosting.