NZ has had an ATPL flight test requirement for ever! Kiwi's have managed to get jobs all over the world with the process that has not changed in decades so it is not a real barrier.
The NZ ATPL flight test is done as a LOA on behalf of CAA in most airlines. It is not the airline flight test. It is more than just a few additions in cyclic.
The big issue that most are missing here is the time limit on the exams. If you are at the start of a slowdown in hiring it may take a while to get a position that allows you to sit the ATPL flight test. If your exams start to expire you will need to sit them a second time.