New Zealand's software industry is significantly more mature than it was 2+ decades ago. Multiple firms with several hundred developers building their own products rather than just government consulting.

Getting hired is hard, but not impossible. The unemployment rate is sub 4% these days.

If you're concerned about your employability, perhaps email Xero/Vend/Flux Federation/Catalyst IT/Intergen/Datacom/Trade Me/Weta Digital/... and explain your situation?

If you're willing to work with recruiters, the team at Talent Army are bona fide good.