Hi Gummibear and
On
here there is a thread about Work Permits and the Partnership Policy which might have some useful information for you. It seems to say that if you apply for a Work Permit under the Partnership Policy they should give you one for long enough to allow you to live together long enough to apply for PR under the Partnership Policy. I was very surprised to learn about this because usually you have to live together for 12 months. They keep this bit secret
and you have to go a different route to
find it .
Your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident
You must show that you are in a genuine and stable relationship with your New Zealand partner.
They say 'in a genuine and stable relationship' and not that you should be living together for 12+months. And they also say....
If you have been in this relationship for a year or more, we may grant you a work visa or permit that allows you to stay for up to a maximum of two years.
You would not be allowed to work if you enter NZ on a tourist visa. You need either a Working Holiday Visa if you're under 31 years old or a Work Permit.