just try to secure a job offer and get a temporary work visa, then apply for residence once we are there. (yes, yes, I know..."employers are not likely to hire you without a visa." Well, there are plenty of immigrant who have secured job offers before obtaining a visa, so it must be possible.)
I'd pursue above one if that's possible, in that way you might actually have feel of NZ before making the move & also as your toddler wont have to be schooling. SMC might sometimes be time consuming route and all this while you might have to feel the split of not completely being in NZ vs leaving the country of residence - ultimately either ways your goal seems to be the same
All the best with your decision