Yes, you have to wait.
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...quirements.htm At the top of the page, you will find this (my bolding).
To be eligible for a permanent resident visa (PRV), the principal applicant in your original residence application must:
hold a resident visa, or have held one in the last three months
hold, or have held, that resident visa for at least two years continuously
have met any conditions that your resident visa was subject to under section 49(1) of the Immigration Act
meet relevant character requirements, and
have met one of five commitment to New Zealand criteria set out below.