Hi there,
 
I am just trying to get some information together at present and wonder if anyone could help me.
 
Basically my situation is that i currently have a work visa which was granted in May this year but unfortunately I was only given a year on this.  I understand you need to have a work permit for at least 2 years in order to apply for residency.  I am 28 and came over here in February 2010 from the UK on a working holiday visa and have my immediate family over here who are also in the process of getting residency. 
 
After the first year of my Working Holiday visa (in which I worked as a temp throughout the year) I decided to apply for jobs in the hope I would get a job offer and be able to apply for a work permit so that I could stay and work in NZ.  I managed to get a job offer at a barrister's office as an office manager/legal secretary as i had previous legal secretary experience.  This was originally advertised as a job that a New Zealander could be trained up in but they had no appropriate candidates who were suitable.  I used an Immigration advisor who has now gone in to liquidation. 
 
I was just wondering if it is common for Immigration to approve Work Visa's for a one year period?  Is it still possible for me to apply for a further work visa for the same job when my current one is due to run out?  I am a little confused about it all as the majority of people I have spoken to have been granted Work visa's for at least 2 years.  Would my employer have to advertise my position again and prove there are no suitable NZ candidates for the job?
 
I am just trying to get as much advice as possible as to what options I may have and how it would all work.
 
Any information you could give would be appreciated.
 
Thanks!!!!