So I got DQ'd today!
I had already swapped in a letter explaining the process etc (probably shouldn't have).
My wife called the Auckland Consulate three times, eventually the lady on the phone conceded she could not access the system that sends the police certificate to the NVC and recommended we email so she can escalate to a consular officer for review.
So I emailed the Consulate asking them to: (1) resend my police certificate to the NVC (2) to ask the NVC to review it again without going to the back of the line.
The Consulate sent me an email yesterday confirming that on 4 March 2022 the NVC confirmed to the Consulate that they received my police certificate and marked it against my file - but not that the Consulate had resent it or anything.
I tried calling the NVC a couple of times yesterday but couldn't connect, and the one time I did my call disconnected while on hold (I got into an elevator without thinking). Then today, literally while on hold to the NVC to request a review, they DQ'd me.
I can only assume the consulate sent them a message in the background!