yes, your kids can go to school. me and my husband both have work to residence visas and kids have visas to be students. we are not waiting two years to apply for permanent residency as we have already got an expression of interest going through but opted to go for work to residence at last minute because it was quicker. whereabouts you thinking of basing yourselves? we are on kapiti coast! moved here 18/12/07 and kids love their school.