[KiwiHopeful]

I agree with MB. The timing is the thing. It took us about 2 months to actually receive our ITA, and I understand times are a little longer now than they were last year.

Should you stay and file your ITA from NZ, you'll want to make sure that you get all of your documents together before you leave. I'm not sure where you're from, but where ever it is, most likely the police certs are going to prove the most difficult, so make sure you have that sorted out ASAP--they're good for a year, so there's little chance of them expiring before you file your application.