Hmmm, can't you just apply for a WHV anyway, it's only 45quid.

However, if you can afford to and are fairly confident you can get a skilled job in your chosen field that you've just been studying presumably, then maybe it's worth looking once you're there. However you will have the whole chicken and egg visa and work thing going against you do it this way, which is why the WHV is such a flexible option. I can just turn up and say look I'm ready to work.

With applying for PR before you arrive unless you're lucky and get offered a job before arriving then you'll be relying on your qualification to score you enough points, not sure what shape you are in points wise.

Back to your original question tho, I got the distict impression that it would be faster and definitely cheaper and more conveniant to apply for work permit when in NZ and get medicals etc (it shouldn't take 3 months). But you'll still need that job offer which may be hard to get without a visa of some sort. It will probably depend on what degree you've just obtained (assumingly).

Does that help? :icon_confused:

Steve