Like most places around the world, we are going through tough times, with highish unemployment (6.3%) less full time jobs, more part time jobs, relatively low minimum hourly rate ($13.50NZD/6.50quid) lots of skilled workers unable to get jobs, and the extremely high cost of living.
But in saying that, if you have a trade, are good at what you do, and have a good working ethic, there will always be a job for you. Ironically, Christchurch would be your safest bet for guaranteed employment as the rebuild is going to need thousands of skilled people to get it done.
The rest of the country is going through a decline in the new housing market so finding a job will be far harder, though not impossible. What sort of joinery do you specialise in?
Regarding the roads and scenery, you are right, its a beautiful country with some great roads (and luckily some great racetracks too), and I really enjoy living here, although I know by staying here, Im sacrificing a more secure financial future that I could have by moving abroard. I love having a section, with a vege garden, and a pimped out garden shed with HD TV and wi-fi, living right on the south coast of the north island, I have stunning seaviews and sunsets over the snow capped kaikouras (the mountain range at the top of the south island)
The grass isnt always greener on the other side
For the record, so do I. I was just fishing for a bite