There is no legislation that prohibits an employer supplying a job offer even if the potential employee does not have a work visa.
The employer is able to make the offer of employment conditional on the potential employee providing evidence that they have legal right to work in New Zealand - meaning, the employment will only begin once the potential employee obtains a work visa.
This type of condition is similar to other pre-employment conditions such as police clearance, drug testing, etc.
Once you receive such an offer of employment, you may submit it as evidence with your work visa application.
This answer was last updated on 16 November, 2011.
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