As soon as he heard Jamie Joseph was going to be coaching the side, Hoeata was more or less looking to move across Cook Strait.
"Him coaching here was definitely a big pull to come down here.
"I'd had him in the Maori tour last year and really enjoyed his coaching," he said.
"He gave me a call about what he wanted to do down here and I spoke to a few of the guys down here about wanting to rebuild the Highlanders.
"I just enjoy the way Jamie coaches.
"He is just direct and makes you know what he wants.
"And I think he enjoys my physical style."
Hoeata (27), a raw-boned Taranaki forward who can play lock and loose forward, said the side had come together well, and everyone was eager to get into his work.
"We've got players from teams last year which had a bit of success.
"The Canterbury guys, guys from Taranaki and Southland.
"So they've brought the best from their team and hopefully that will help us here."
Hoeata played seven games for the Chiefs last year and, although the Hamilton-based franchise wanted him back for another season, it was to Dunedin he headed.
"There was probably a better chance of more game time down here but in saying that it doesn't matter what side you're playing for in New Zealand - there is always going to be good loose forwards.
"That is the thing when you get to this level.
"Everyone is going to be big, and strong and skilful.
"So you've got to work really hard all of the time."
Hoeata is originally from the Bay of Plenty and, after completing his education at Tauranga Boys' College, he journeyed to Christchurch for a teaching degree.
He made various Canterbury age-group sides and a Crusaders wider training group one year but then headed to Taranaki to get playing time.
Injury derailed his ambitions in 2007 with a serious knee injury, blowing out his ACL and MCL joint, which wrote off his rugby chances for the year.
But he fought back and last year was probably the best of his career, starring in an over-achieving Taranaki team and starting every game for New Zealand Maori in their short tour.
"With Taranaki last year I think we had a good mix of guys who had been there for a while and were quite experienced, and then we'd drafted in some young talent from outside.
"Hopefully, we can get the mix right here.
"Hoeata is flatting with Taranaki team-mate Kurt Baker and Manawatu halfback Aaron Smith, who is also a New Zealand Maori player.
The side is just back from a week's camp in Wanaka, which Hoeata described as a beautiful part of the country, but any thoughts about attractive scenery will be quickly forgotten when the side takes on the Blues in the first pre-season match in Balclutha on Sunday.
"In some ways it does seem early to be playing rugby, with cricket on TV every day, but that is the way it is these days.
"It is slowly sinking in we have a game on Saturday."
Hoeata was like many in the squad, catching a stomach bug over the weekend, but he is on the mend.
