 An applicant for a permanent resident visa must
Commitment to New Zealand can be met by spending enough time in the country, by becoming a tax resident, by owning a business, by investing in New Zealand or by establishing a base.In contrast to a New Zealand permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen

The way to a permanent resident visa always leads through a two-year resident visa.In any case you will need to be invited to apply for a resident visa by Immigration NZ.