saralou, this might be of interest:
Question
My Employer says I can only be offered employment if I can show a valid work permit. But I need an offer of employment to apply for a work permit. What should I do?
Answer
There is no legislation that prohibits an employer supplying a job offer even if the potential employee does not have a work visa/permit. The employer is able to make the offer of employment conditional on the potential employee providing evidence that they have legal right to work in New Zealand. This type of condition is similar to other pre-employment conditions such as police clearance, drug testing, etc.Once you receive such an offer of employment, you may submit it as evidence with your work permit/visa application.
I found it on this site somewhere??