MikeAqua, I can sympathize being an old IT worker myself.

For low quality employers, they are more worried that lots of experience means you'll be asking for lots of wages. Those wanting recent cheap graduates, you won't compete. Here in New Zealand I often see ridiculous "tall poppies" job descriptions, then asking for 30% below going wages.

I've heard a number of recruiters specifically call out Auckland IT workers as having unrealistic salary expectations, when moving to new cities.

In Australia, the job listings are more sane.

For high quality employers, want workers solving problems quickly and professionally, they want older employers ... because Gen-X and Gen-Y workers ...

Search for "age-diversity management" or "generational differences at work ", but expect heavily couched language: frames differences as preferences, not problems, neutral diplomatic wording

But it's not AI. Tech companies don't usually care about anything beyond 10 years, but it's often considered nice but irrelevant.

I put "Ask for experience beyond x years if needed" and cut it off at that.

You may want to use Udemy courses to "flesh out" some skills, if you have time. I understand Christchurch IT market is still doing OK.