To some degree what Andrew is proposing already exists in "embryonic form" in the revived South Island league. Though I approve in principle, it doesn't see, from the other end of the country, to be the kind of massive success which would justify putting the last 16 years of NZFC in the bin.
edited to add: I'm grateful for Andrew for explaining what he sees about the modern context that would justify scrapping the current NZFC model altogether. He's a full-time sports journo and I'm not so I'm going to have to take a lot of what he says on faith. But I would like comment on whether he's right that the top of the NRFL and Central League is as good as/better as the NZFC at the moment from other people who watch more NRFL/Central League matches than I do.