The OFC have been working behind the scenes on different options for the past few years, negotiating with the Asian Football Confederation to see what may be possible. Essentially, the OFC position is as follows:
The Oceania champions would be included in the final round of Asian qualifying, which currently has 10 teams split into two groups.
It would mean an intense round of at least eight home and away matches, similar to the 'hexagonal' series that Mexico has just finished.
All other teams (women, youth) would continue to qualify for Fifa tournaments through Oceania.
Although any change seems a long shot, dialogue between the two confederations is ongoing.
"If Oceania was offered [direct entry], of course you wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth," van Hattum told the Herald on Sunday.
"The rules are the rules and would follow them. But at the moment, through OFC, we are still looking at getting into the final round of Asia.
"We had a great experience against Bahrain and we will have a great experience against Mexico. We will be underdogs but, like last time, we have a starter's chance.
"But it is one moment in four years whereas qualification through Asia would give [the Oceania champion] a series of quality games in a tournament-type environment. It would be 10 games with a massive prize at the end of it. It is something that OFC has been working on for a while and we have been supporting them where we can. It is not just New Zealand's view, it is OFC's view of how to keep making the Confederation stronger."
The advantages are obvious. The Oceania champions would have a guaranteed minimum five home matches against the likes of South Korea, Japan, Iran or Saudi Arabia. Such a campaign would preclude the need for shopping around for friendly opposition - which, given New Zealand's geographical position and lack of profile is becoming increasingly difficult.
However, it would be extremely difficult to qualify through Asia, compared to the current lottery of a play-off. It is also unsure whether the AFC would want to include an Oceania team, especially given the lack of commercial profile that New Zealand, Tahiti or New Caledonia might bring to the market.
Angling towards Asia might also be pragmatic. Whatever happens with Platini's proposal, ultimately the chances of direct entry for Oceania still appear slim.
While the World Cup may be increased to 40 teams eventually, there is every chance that the current proposed place for Oceania could be swallowed up by another confederation, such are the political mechanisms within the football world. It has happened before. In the early 2000s, Oceania was allocated a full spot via direct entry only to have the decision reversed a few months later by the Fifa Executive committee.
"Of course OFC would love direct entry but you need to manage it as well," says van Hattum. "Every time someone says OFC should have direct entry, almost 200 other nations say why?"
Aside from the possibility of direct entry for Oceania's representatives, a change to a 40 team World Cup could have other positive ramifications for this region.
Such an inflated tournament might improve the prospects of the tournament one day being staged in Australasia. Australia has already proved its ability to host large sporting events (1956 and 2000 Olympics, 2003 Rugby World Cup) while New Zealand carried off the 2011 Rugby World Cup with aplomb. The field of potential host nations would shrink and a joint transtasman bid might suddenly look extremely attractive.
