How I would normally respond – Generally, there will always be opportunities to enter New Zealand.  The reality here is that immigration processes are always getting tighter.  We live in a popular country that doesn’t want to grow into something like the UK or Japan.  Growth needs to be limited so of course the government is looking for the best people to fill the most needed industries.  For this and other reasons, New Zealand is going to be more difficult in the future compared to the past and that has always been true since at least the 1980’s.  It seems that every year I hear my clients say “I’m glad I made it in when I did.”  I guess it is the same as planting a tree.  When in the best time to plant a tree?  The Chinese have a proverb that says “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now.” – I think that applies to New Zealand immigration as well.