Y' know I find this difficult to work out. What the hell does it matter whether you have experience in the same type of business you want to buy or not? At the end of the day, if you're willing to lay everything you have on the line to make a go of something that you believe in and you have plenty of cash to support yourselves whilst you do it and there is the chance that other people will benefit from your enterprise, then why don't they just give you a pat on the back, a shake of the hand and a 'let's see what you can do then'. The only people that are worse off if the plan fails are yourselves and if it doesn't fail then the community, the region et al reap the benefits.
I'm sure there are a few people in business immigration (like Macfods guy) who can see this and realise the benefits of giving someone a go and to be honest, that's what I had heard about NZ business, that they're willing to give people a go, the benefit of the doubt so to speak rather than being negative and cynical like they are here. We all know of people that have the credentials on paper but not enough of anything to get the show on the road, why can't the same credibility be given to people the other way around? I'd rather put my trust in someone who makes me feel they can make things happen than someone who hands me a piece of paper saying that someone else says they should be able to cause they've answered some questions right.
Just bloody go for it Macfod. I know you are doing anyway but if they turn you down, find out why and then find out why that why is part of the regulation and then set about proving them wrong.

We will fight them on the beaches....... ;)