And now.. I wait!
My current WHV expires on January 19th. I called my nice CO (assigned my case just before Christmas) to ask if there was any other information I could provide, or if she had any recommendations for my next steps as my current visa is almost gone.
She checked my file, said she had everything needed to make the decision and it would be finalized in the next couple of days, so no need to apply for a visitor visa to bridge the gap.
Now I'm just going to cross my fingers (and check the site a million times a day) and hope the answer is a yes!
Current timeline:
EOI picked: Aug 22nd (140 points + job offer, Auckland central branch)
ITA received: Sept 9th
30th birthday and 5 points lost: Nov 10th
Canadian police clearance finally arrives after months of panic: Nov 20th
ITA submitted: Nov 23rd
Medical referral returned: Dec 11th
CO assigned: Dec 18th