Hi,
The problem is the immigration system could be completely different in a year of so !
It changed only at the end of last year.
So whatever we say now could be completely wrong then.

Don't confuse companies with accreditation, with approval in principle.
For a 'useful' list of companies with accreditation see this (the NZIS version is 'not very useful !!!!!!):

http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/neuraln...companies.html

They aren't very useful for IT.
I've tried to say what each company does to save a lot of surfing !

Approval in principle is only for a particluar person with a job offer.
It is one of the routes to getting a work permit when you get a job offer.

You are right it's a long process to understand all this stuff.

If you have 'work experience', and therefore more points etc, and you have a long term relationship (or will have), you could be the main applicant, and your boyfriend get in with you.

I hope that helps a bit.
All the best

Steve