Do we need to pay the New Zealand university fees before or after the visa is granted?

Usually, New Zealand student visa applicants are expected to pay tuition fees before the final visa is granted, as proof of payment is often part of the visa process. If your case goes through the AIP (Approval in Principle) route, you may receive conditional visa approval first and then pay the required fees before the final visa is issued. So in most cases, fees are paid before visa grant, not after.