One reason it’s good to have a job offer either before or whilst you are applying is because you can claim extra points for it. The more points you have, the more likely you are to be selected quickly (if NZIS can ever be regarded as being quick). If you have a job offer, the idea is to get you into NZ as soon as possible and put you to work. With only 100 points, it could take a long time to be selected as they take those with higher points first. However, getting a job offer is not always that easy from outside NZ so, the next best thing would be, as you say, to trundle down to NZ to find one.
You can make your application either way i.e. from where you are with 100 points and a long wait or from NZ on a visitor’s visa looking for work, then getting a WP and sticking your EOI in from there.
I don’t know if you’ve read through the
EOI Guide . It’s always useful to have it to hand because it explains a lot about the process and how many points are given for different things.
If you hold a passport that is equal to a British passport you should be able to stay in NZ for 6 months, but that can be extended to 9 months if you apply and if, for example, you have an application for PR going on at the time, you could explain this and they might extend it to a full 12 months.. I can't find anything about a Dependent Territory passport.
Have I answered your questions by any chance? It’s evening time here and my brain is starting to malfunction
, so I’m not taking everything in so well.