INZ Operational Manual: Temporary Entry, E3.10, E3.15, E3.20(c), (d), U2.5, V2.5, W2.2, U3.1(a)(ii) 

There are three types of Temporary Visa:

• Work Visa – These allow you to work in New Zealand as long as the visa is valid and you follow the conditions of the visa – for example, you might have to work for a specific employer. Work Visas don’t allow you to study, apart from work training that’s part of your normal conditions of employment, and one course of study or training of up to three months. Generally, the maximum time for a single Work Visa is five years. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for another Work Visa before the first one expires.
  • If you’re not a citizen or permanent resident and you’ll be doing “work” in New Zealand, you’ll need a Work Visa. The immigration laws define “work” as “any activity undertaken for gain or reward”. This includes self-employment.
• Student Visa – These allow you to study or train in New Zealand while the visa is valid. You can’t work unless the visa says you can. Generally, the maximum time that Immigration New Zealand can grant a single student visa for is four years. To get a Student Visa, you must have paid all the fees for your course (or be exempt from paying them). It will be a condition of your Student Visa that you attend your course and that you make satisfactory progress.
• Visitor Visa – These allow you to be in New Zealand until the date specified in the visa, for any legal purpose, such as visiting family or friends, getting medical treatment, or just sightseeing. You can’t work or study, apart from one course of study or training of up to three months. The maximum time Immigration NZ can grant a single Visitor Visa for is 12 months, and usually one won’t be granted for more than nine months.

There are also two special types of Temporary Visa: Limited Visas and Interim Visas (see: “Limited Visas and Interim Visas: Special types of Temporary Visa”).