Emigration from US to New Zealand, Prospects?

As the political situation in the US becomes more unacceptable to me, I am considering a “backup plan” of emigrating from the US. I have considered Quebec and the Maritimes in Canada, Iceland and the South Island of New Zealand. Of these, NZ seems to be the most appealing. I have an independent income (military pension and investments) but would prefer to be gainfully employed. My questions are: What are the employment prospects of a 53 year old mechanical engineer, also qualified to lecture at university level on history (military and technological)? I also have skills in diesel mechanics,wind turbines, photovoltaic electric power. What are the land prices (rural, aporox. 100 acres) within a one hour drive of Christchurch or Dunedin? I wish to build a stone cottage with independent energy sources. As target shooting is a major hobby of mine, what are the NZ firearms laws like as compared to the US? Is it possible for a foreigner to purchase real estate in NZ?