Hi
Im pretty new to this all to, so not gonna offer any advice, 'cause chances are it'll just be wrong, someone will be along soon with answers to all your questions.
Im looking to go in less than six months though, so Im cutting it a bit fine really. I'll continue looking for a job before that time (it's a lot harder, if not almost impossible? to get a Residency without a good job offer), but if nothing materialises I'll hopefully head out on a one or two year working visa and look for a job while im over there. Once I've found one, I can then apply for residency whilst in New Zealand.
Good luck with it all, and keep us informed of how it's going
