Hi Steve,

Different visas/permits have different conditions/time limits.

When you get your WHV, it states on the visa that you may only work for up to 3 months.

You are right, on the NZIS website it says you must adhere to the rules of the WHV scheme, and when you click on the link for the rules, it tells you that you must adhere to the rules, which is very useful, I must say!

It says on my WHV that I may undertake any employment, except permanent employment, which must not exceed 3 months in total.

All visas will expire within 12 months, so you have to arrive within NZ in that time frame to activate it with a permit. Your permit then lasts as long as stated on it.