Hello!
So I'm in a similar position although I'm the partner of a Kiwi. We hadn't lived together when I came back to NZ to live with him (I had previously been out on WHV and when that expired I went back to UK) so ours was waaaaay more complicated -had to get a partner visitor visa so I could get into the country so that we could then live together for 2 months before I could apply for the work visa!!
Residency application is now in and I'm just waiting... and waiting... and waiting... but at least I have my work visa so I can work rather than just living on his income!
It's a good way to do it though because the residency takes a while! :-)