No idea re your exact situation, but I am currently applying for a NZ work visa and intend to bring my girlfriend on a partner visa. We got all the medicals and police checks done and all the forms quoted my gf's passport no. We then realised her passport expires in 2 yrs and for the visa needs to be valid for at least 3.
NZ immi told us to get the meds etc redone with a new passport.
So it seems there potentially could be probs with passports not valid for long enough ( although this may well be different for PR visas as with temp visas the reason is they want to know you can get home after the expiry of the visa!).
You don't want to face problems down the line for something as easily avoidable as this so I'd just go and get a new passport. Pay the extra to get one done in a day and you'll have peace of mind!
