Okay, so i got a lot farther, but after swapping from the default mii to the one on my console i got error 022-5432. I tried searching it on the main site, but i couldnt find a match. Second attempt went the same. Third attempt, i tried using the default mii; same result.
Extra context: trying to link Pretendo account as though its a wii u one; havent yet verified email address.
update: Got it to work with help from I keep getting Error Code: 022-5432 when opening NNID settings - #2 by GamersInternatio
Thanks again for your help.