Joseph (42) confirmed yesterday he had re-signed with the Highlanders as head coach until the end of the 2014 season and was looking to push on from the progress the franchise has made over the past couple of years.
"We have made some really positive steps in the past couple of years. Obviously, this year injuries hurt us a bit but we have got a good core group of players who want to continue," Joseph said.
"I'm enjoying it. Really enjoying it, actually. If I wasn't then I wouldn't have continued.
"The family have settled in well to Dunedin so it was not a hard decision to make."
He said all the key players for the side this year would be back next season with the exception of halfback Jimmy Cowan.
Cowan had signed for English premiership club Gloucester, after playing more than 100 games for the Highlanders.
He was usurped this year as the starting halfback by Aaron Smith, and Joseph confirmed Smith would be back next year along with Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore and other key players.
"We've got bit of experience there now with the likes of Andrew Hore and we have also got some younger guys. The good thing is we have now got All Blacks and guys who have played test rugby yet have not quite cracked that starting squad. The is a real incentive for us to keep going.
"We've made some real progress over the last couple of seasons, and I want to remain, because I have my sights on a very clear goal to take the Highlanders to a final."
Joseph was keen to keep his management team but they were waiting to see what Joseph was doing before they made a decision.
"Those guys are coming off contract but I'll be working hard to keep them all together. Obviously, they can only move forward when I had made my decision."
Assistant coaches Kieran Keane and Simon Culhane could not be contacted yesterday over their futures.
The Highlanders won their first four games this season, and were sitting on top of the table.
But they faded as the season went on, affected by injury, and eventually won nine games.
They will end up ninth after the final round of the competition this weekend.
The Highlanders have a bye this week, and the team will disband in the next few days.
Last year, Joseph's first in charge, the side finished eighth after winning eight games.
Joseph said there were about eight or nine players in the 2012 squad who had to go away and play rugby in the ITM Cup and get over injuries to prove themselves.
He would be on the hunt for players, but first things first - it was time for a break.
"I will be on the lookout for players, but I need a breather. It has been a long season but all rugby seasons are long. After a bit of a rest I'll be into it."
