It might be worth going on a WHV because, as you say, it will give you the right to work for a while. The idea would be to enter NZ on the WHV and then look for a suitable job. When you have a job offer you can apply for a Work Permit to allow you to work for longer while you submit your application for PR with the extra points you get for the job offer.
You could also enter NZ on a Visit Visa and do the same thing, but at least with a WHV, if you get a job offer and they want you to start quickly, you can. Sometimes there is a delay getting a WP depending on how busy the INZ branch is where you apply.
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Mother Bear 
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