Hi Karolineke
I go with DonDeLaVega, don't give up yet if this is what you really want, you might not have tried everything. Just keep looking and make sure NZ employers know you are out there somewhere.
I still think being in the country gives you a slight advantage but as you said yourself, there are successtories so it is possible to obtain a job from overseas.
I found networking and meeting people overhere extremely useful and my job would never have happened if I was in Antwerp. I must say, my personality can be a bit frightening for some as I literally speak to everybody I come across and ask some very direct questions as well like : "Hi, don't you have a job for me?"
But as we say back home : "De wereld is aan de durvers, een nee heb je en een ja kan je krijgen"
Cheers
Kath