I have recently got engaged to a Canadian citizen and am looking to live and work in Canada and then eventually get married there (I am from New Zealand)...am I eligible for a permanent residency or does that only count if we are married?
Your Canadian citizen would have to apply to sponsor you for permanent residency and you would either have to be married or have lived together for 12 or more months. If you want to get to Canada faster temporarily, check the working holiday program for NZ citizens at http://www.international.gc.ca/asia/whp/intro-en.asp