Those are the two different ways. If he has a skill and the qualifications to prove it, giving him at least 160 points, and the other requirements, he can apply for residence under SMC, get a job search visa, then go to NZ to job hunt.
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-...-resident-visa (If he managed to get a skilled job offer first - though that's unlikely from outside NZ unless he has a niche skill - he would get residence directly, without having to have the JSV first.)
If he can get a job offer, which is more likely if he takes a recce trip to NZ as a visitor, taking the trouble to research potential employers/agents beforehand, and also to approach other employers even if they're not currently advertising, making a point of meeting the people that do the hiring face to face to leave his details (not just leaving a CV with the receptionist), there are two kinds of visa possible in the short-term. There are the Work To Residence visas
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-...residence-visa (needs the employer to be accredited) and
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-...list-work-visa, each of which give a direct pathway to residence if he can meet the criteria after two years. Then there is the Essential Skills Visa
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-...ills-work-visa, which gives the right to live and work in NZ for a limited period only, but means the applicant can be there, working, and meantime have an application in under SMC, taking the time it takes to be processed.