Following up - here's our requirements for getting a Visa http://skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz/developer-programm...

You will fail around on the 3rd screen when you say "NO" to the questions "if you have completed Phd .. education in the previous 3 months in NZ"

Ditto this... as a developer in Auckland, I've got to say it's pretty sweet here. Ditched a career in investment banking in the US for the quality of life here. I only occasionally regret it.

What's the occasional that you regret? Friends/family?

Likely anytime he needs to catch a bus or a train. Or wishes to have a discussion about something other than Auckland housing prices, Rugby, or Reality TV.

I'm currently in the process of sorting out a temporary work visa in Christchurch (+1 for the quality of life comment seriously). It's definitely harder to get a work visa without a degree in your field of work (I switched to software from another field of engineering), but 5+ years of relevant experience can serve as an alternative to a degree.

Are you from Auckland, or did you move there from the US?

Could you elaborate a bit?