A student Visa is an endorsement in your passport to allow you to enter or re-enter New Zealand. It shows you have permission to travel to New Zealand and may be granted a Student Permit when you arrive.
You do not need a student Visa or permit to study in New Zealand if you are:
a New Zealand citizen or a New Zealand Residence Permit holder ; or
an Australian Citizen, or a resident who holds a current Australian resident return visa ;
or exempt from the requirement to hold a Permit to be in New Zealand ;
or to undertake a course of more than three months and holds a visitor's visa or Permit ;
or the holder of a Limited Purpose Visa for study purpose.
You will need to apply for a Student Visa if you are outside New Zealand, and are coming to New Zealand to study full time for longer than three months. However potential students entering New Zealand from visa free countries will be able to apply for a student permit once they have found an educational institute.
You can get more information about Student Visa or Permits from:
New Zealand diplomatic and consular offices. All new Zealand Immigration Services Form and leaflets and fee information can be downloaded from the internet at:
www.immigration.govt.nz