We're a nation of immigrants, at least Durante and Wynn have string connections to the country.
Durante has the least strongest connection of anyone (I put parents' birthplace above 'playing for a pro team in the country for 5 years)
He has one of the strongest connections. He has chosen to make this country his home, his daughters were born here, and he seems to want to continue to live here after he retires.
Someone's parents being born here but have otherwise never spent any meaningful time here is no connection in my book.
My mum was born in the UK, she's never lived there. I'm eligible for UK citizenship and I've spent some time over there but not too much. No way do I feel any connection to that country.
On the other hand, I was brought up in the Coromandel, spent some time in Auckland, and have been in Wellington off and on for about a third of my life. I have more of a connection to Wellington than the Coromandel despite living in the later more than here simply because this is where I've chosen to make my home.
I'd put only those who actually grew up in NZ having stronger connections than Durante, Durante certainly has a stronger connection than the Ingham brothers, Themi, Smith, etc. Probably more than Reid as well, seeing as Reid has spent the vast majority of his life overseas, including all of his tertiary and footballing education.
Durante only became a Kiwi so he could play international football as he never quite made it onto the pitch for the Aussies.
I don't see how that matters, that was before he was eligible for NZ. You don't know what he would say if he was given a choice today between the two teams.
What I'm saying is he has lived here more than a lot of the players, has given his most productive years to football in this country, and most importantly living here is his choice. That gives him a strong connection.
Where you were born (but left as a child), or where your parents were born is a very weak connection.