So i'm clearly a noob and suck at life so this is just my opinion and I think you could make a much better decision then i ever could that being said heres what i think...

Clearing $1k a week seems easily doable
I've decided to stick to 100nl for a while now, so there's no point in having more than $5k online. I'll withdraw a bunch more over the next couple of weeks. My plan is to get to $6k, pull $2k, rinse, repeat... If I ever decide it's time to hit 200nl then I'll stop withdrawing until roll equals $10k and then move up.
So like April is a long time away. If your winning at a decent rate and seeing a decent amount of hands (as i believe you are) reaching 200nl seems easily doable. The sooner you move to 200nl the sooner you will begin to adjust to the play at that level and produce a sick win rate (not saying move up ASAP but $10k seems about right) which will put you in a far better position after April.

Working part-time wasn't so that I could sit more often in front of a computer at home. So, decision time. How much time should i spend playing poker between now and April when my contract finishes. After that I'll be going poker pro for a while regardless, likely to support some sort of climbing/surfing/travel buzz. In the meantime? guess i'll figure it out over the next few weeks...
any thoughts/advice much appreciated.
How much should you be playing? I would think as much as possible. Think of it as a small sacrifice now for an awsome return later. Living it up doing what you love would be awsome but not as awsome as living it up doing what you love and being financially secure. If it turns out 200nl is not for you then fuck it play 100nl but wouldn't it be better to find out now then moving up when poker is your main source of income and thus far more stressful?

As for keeping only $5k online how easily can you fund your poker accounts? The way the american dollar is going and is likely to go it may be prudent to keep as little online as possible. Obviously keep a BR but having a separate bank account in NZ dollars connected to your neteller account or something might be worth the conversation fees just in case.

Any way dude your awsome GL.