Worth actually applying for a visa?
 

My gf and I wish to go to NZ for a year to see if we might want to live there. She has a job offer from an accredited employer already and is applying for the Talent visa.

I only wish to study in my time there (first 12 months anyway), and this may well be online at home or at private educational establishments (I am 38). My question is this;

is it worth me spending the money (medical checks etc) to apply for a Student or Talent (Partner) visa? I understand I can get this if (a) my gf gets hers and (b) we can prove we are a couple.

However, NZ immigration have already told me I can probably extend a 6 month visitors visa to 12 months to match her work visa time period. This is obviously much easier and cheaper than jumping through all the more complex visa applications. If I am at home studying then I'm guessing I won't need to have a students visa.
Any comments/thoughts welcome :)

Re: Worth actually applying for a visa?
 

I think your spot on there, the only problem you'd have is if the home study was with some NZ instituition...