Sorry to say this, but Agreed with J&M, don't waste your money. It's very clear if you read the ops manual that you must be living together, or have been living together previously and have a valid reason for not living together at the time the application is made.
I know you said you travel to see each other a lot but again this will not be seen as time living together, living together "does NOT include time in each other home while maintaining individual residence"
Unfortunately INZ will not bend the rules to accomodate your feelings. As JandM said, it's NZ law. I would look for alternatives, I know you are only missing 1 thing, but read this taken straight from the ops manual, clearly states you must be living together
"Satisfactory and sufficient proof (from documents, other corroborating evidence, or interviews) of all four of the following elements being met:
'Credibility': the principal applicant and the partner both separately and together, must be credible in any statements made and evidence presented by them.
'Living together': the principal applicant and partner must be living together unless there are genuine and compelling reasons for any period(s) of separation (see E4.5.35(f) and E4.5.35(g) below).
'Genuine partnership': the principal applicant and partner must both be found to be genuine as to their:
reasons for marrying, entering a civil union or entering into a de facto relationship; and
intentions to maintain a long term partnership exclusive of others.
'Stable partnership': the principal applicant and partner must demonstrate that their partnership is likely to endure."
If you need further reassurance that you will not get this visa, email a few immigration advisors, most will give you a free assessment and I'm sure they will tell you the same thing.