Interim visas. If you look at the chart on here
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...erimvisaqa.htm, you'll see it's not the JOB being the same that they're looking at, as its being the same KIND OF VISA, and for the same thing. That way, there isn't anything different in your application from what they already investigated before for your original visa. If you're waiting to go from like to like, the interim visa will let you work. If you're waiting for a different kind of visa, they won't give you the go-ahead to work on the interim one, because there's the chance that when they get round to seeing all the details of your new case, there could be something there that's a no-no.
No, there's no refund if the application is refused. The payment isn't buying a visa - it's paying for the application to be worked.