Need honest advice from people living in New Zealand (especially Christchurch/Auckland) before I commit to studying there.

Hi everyone,

I'm a 23-year-old from India and I'm seriously considering moving to New Zealand for further studies. Before I make such a big financial and life decision, I wanted to hear from people who are actually living and working there.

A bit about me:

- Around 5 years of professional experience as a video editor

- Worked with Techy Pathshala (1M+ YouTube audience), Global Esports for almost 3 years, and currently freelance for an international brand

- Strong skills in Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, storytelling and content strategy

I'm looking at Yoobee Colleges' Diploma in Film & TV Production in Christchurch. I already have a close relative living in Christchurch, so accommodation and settling in would hopefully be easier.

The reason I'm considering this isn't because I need someone to teach me editing. I already work professionally. My goal is to get an internationally recognised qualification, build a local network, gain work experience, and eventually build a creative agency offering video production, content strategy and social media management.

However, after reading many Reddit posts, I'm honestly a bit worried. A lot of people mention that New Zealand's creative/media industry is very small, jobs receive 100+ applications, and employers generally prefer Kiwis over international graduates.

So I'd really appreciate honest answers to these questions:

1. Is the media/content creation industry actually that difficult to break into?

2. Would someone with my experience have a realistic chance of finding work after graduation?

3. Is Christchurch a good place for creative careers, or is Auckland significantly better?

4. If you were in my position, would you still choose New Zealand in 2026–27?

5. Is Yoobee respected by employers, or is it just another private college?

I'm not looking for sugar-coated answers. If you think this is a bad plan, please tell me why. I'd rather hear difficult truths now than regret a decision after spending a significant amount of money.

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to reply.