This is why NZ Football as a whole is a laughing stock in the global scheme of things.
The best thing any decent young player can do is leave the NZ system as soon as possible - like Winston did, Tommy Smith did, Chris Wood did etc...
Reid moved to Denmark with his mum & Danish stepdad aged 10. Smith I understand was born in the UK, spent some of his youth in NZ, then returned to Blighty with his family. I think only Wood left NZ for football reasons.
NZ system ain't perfect, but the U20s strong showing at their WC in Poland, showed what's possible. A side of players almost entirely (only Stensness and Stanger aside) who had come through the 'NZ system'. Much of the core of that side coming from two young Handy Prem teams that year in Eastern Suburbs and the Weenix, who benefited from many playing hours together in NZ's top flight among other factors.