Hames, who turns 29 next Monday, has been called into the All Black squad for this week's test at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Hames, who played one test for the All Blacks last year, coming on in Sydney, is expected to take the place of Wyatt Crockett on the reserves bench this week.
Crockett took a blow to the head in the test in Sydney last Saturday and is expected to be unavailable this week.
Hames first played Super Rugby for the Highlanders in 2014 and made quite an impact that season, as the Highlanders made the playoffs for the first time in 12 years.
The loose- head prop, who is noted as a strong scrummager, took a somewhat unconventional route to the top level, never making any national age-group squads and being a rugby development officer for Bay of Plenty for five years.
He got his break with the Highlanders after a strong season for Bay of Plenty in 2013.
Also rejoining the All Black squad this week in Dunedin are Nehe Milner-Skudder, David Havili, Akira Ioane and apprentice tighthead prop Atu Moli.