[MotherBear]

What you need to tell them and what I assume they're hoping to hear from you is confirmation that you aren't going to do anything illegal while you're in NZ. If you state your case as having a kiwi fiance whom you are hoping to marry in the near future and your wish is to live with him in NZ, they will see that there's more to it than just you wanting to get into NZ. To make it more convincing (because I dare say a lot of people, as far as INZ is concerned, make up relationship stories to get into NZ) you need to explain further that your OH is currently in Oz but wants to return to NZ where you both will marry. Carry on to say that it's your OH's intention to sponsor you under the Partnership Policy but it will be impossible to comply with the 12-month living together ruling if you can't get to stay in NZ with him. Put the ball in their court and ask them, if they're going to refuse you a WHV or any other long term visa, how you can possibly resolve the situation. Above all be pleasant and polite as you're hoping to win them over. At least they're giving you a chance to comment on their decision so make the most of it.

Fingers crossed that someone in INZ has a heart.

NZ wants its sons and daughters to return home because so many have been leaving in the last few years. As you say, if it continues, NZ will be a country full of immigrants so the government has been trying to offer incentives to entice them home again.