Hi Matt
Did 7 years as a Special and looking at your post this would seem to be an option to consider. Last time I looked the NZ police were recruiting and there is a relatively simple test on their website as the first step.
I think that you have to pop over for the interview and tests etc, subject to meeting their requirements of course! My partner spoke to the NZ police on my behalf before I came over and to be honest I decided it wasn't for me.
They (NZ Police) understand the concept of the 'specials' role in the UK and they do recruit based on that 'experience' as part of their recruitment process, but I guess it would depend on the time you have served and your experience to date.
In my opinion the roles here and in the UK are markedly different, but the same if you get what I mean, and that whilst the Uniform in the UK bought a level of respect and you'll know just what I mean, if you have done some of the more challenging Jobs as IP, I am not so sure that it's the same here.
I am sure that another opinion will be along shortly.
Could you imagine the police 'locking down' an English Village as a matter of course, as the AOS do here and getting away with it ..... think not. The other thing about the 'Job' here, is when the last officer in the area arrives that's it, where as in the UK they keep on coming even if it's from another county!!
Good luck