That includes looking at getting the new head coach for 2018 but any talk of who will be the new man has been put on ice.
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said the side was going through its review of this season and was looking ahead to next season.
That included full reviews for all players and coaching staff.
The side had 31 out of 38 players for next year’s squad signed up and the forthcoming Mitre 10 Cup would be a trial of sorts for players to put their name forward and fill the remaining seven spots.
Clark said this season had been another successful year, with the Highlanders
making it through to the semifinals before losing to the Lions last weekend.
The franchise would make a tidy surplus from the just-completed season, he said.
The final two home games of the season were both sell-outs at Forsyth Barr Stadium and the overall gate for the six home games at the roofed stadium was above budget.
Though the real money is made by hosting a playoff game — which the Highlanders did not do — it still had done well off the field with new sponsorship and big gates. It was the first year of the new private ownership coming on board and they should be well pleased.
Next year, the Highlanders will get to host one more game, with each franchise splitting between seven and eight home games over alternate years.
The side has committed to the new 10s tournament in Brisbane in February next year and will hold a camp in Australia as it is also playing the Waratahs in Australia.
It also has a pre-season game against the Crusaders in Christchurch and was exploring the possibility of heading back to Hong Kong for a pre-season match where it played in February this year.
The draw for next season should be out in the next few weeks and the Highlanders should not have to face a trip round the world like this year where the side travelled to South Africa and then Argentina.
Tony Brown will take over from Jamie Joseph as head coach next year but will only hold the role for one season before heading to Japan to join Joseph.
Mark Hammett will join the Highlanders next year as part of the coaching team.
There has been speculation on who will coach the team in 2018 but Clark had no comment.
When asked if he had been in contact with Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, Clark declined to comment.
Schmidt is believed to be weighing up whether to remain with Ireland through to the next World Cup or come back to New Zealand to coach a Super rugby team.