Assuming that your partner is a NZ citizen/resident, and you have lived together for over a year... is there any reason anyone would need to apply for a partner work visa instead of going directly for partner residence? Is there any difference, such as perhaps partner work visas are more easily approved, or approved quicker, etc?
Also, I've read a lot on these forums about partner visas needing to 'tick all the boxes' - do they literally mean all, or is cohabitation the most important one? I don't know if we satisfy all the requirements. We have lived together for more than a year, but don't have joint bank accounts (we could make one now, but would that help?). We have some joint bills (telephone), but no joint assets. We have some pictures and bookings of previous vacations together, but not many. As for proof of public recognition of partnership, what exactly does that mean - we need to ask mutual friends to write letters declaring that they believe us to be a genuine couple? Also, how are you supposed to 'prove' that you're in an 'exclusive sexual relationship'? I can think of some ways, but I doubt immigration would be too happy with them, haha.
Given those circumstances, do you think it would be worth it for us to try applying for partner residence? Or should we give it more time while making sure we collect more evidence? Would it help to apply for partner work visa first? Does it matter if my partner is a 'resident' but not yet a 'permanent resident'?