I can understand being the rare not-rich WRC driver and having a concern for your ongoing career post-competition, but would it really be so bad for Hyundai NZ if he drove another car in an international competition that doesn't even visit NZ anymore? His local commitments are with a local company branch. Unless Hyundai NZ are saying "everything's kaput if you drive anybody else's car" I guess.

Even then, New Zealand does not have a huge selection of international level sportspeople for local companies to sponsor, especially in motorsport. It doesn't seem like career suicide to sever ties if it means building your international success (thus local sponsor-ability) further.

I just remember Greg Murphy, a locally (Aus-NZ) known V8 Supercars champion, being on TV constantly as THE New Zealand motorsport guy, selling pies with his name on it, etc. And he is (in my view) less accomplished than a World Championship event winner of any stripe.