My husband is currently on a work permit for working in the uk. He is from new zealand and I am irish, if we want to apply for a spousal visa for him, does he have to travel back to new zealand and apply for it there? Or can he apply form within the UK.

As you are a EEA national you are free to work and live in the UK.

Family members who come to the United Kingdom with an EEA national but who are not themselves a national of an EEA country can apply for a residence card, with some exceptions

Please visit UK Border Agency | Applying under European law for more information.