"I came through the grades playing for Moerewa and can't really see myself playing anywhere else. I've been approached by a couple of other clubs but Moerewa's my home, all my mates play here and it's been good to be able to make the step up to rep rugby.
The examples of former Taniwha centre Brandon Reid and Moerewa club stalwart Christian "Chick" Prime have been a motivating factor for Pihema.
"Being able to live in Moerewa is a reflection of the current thinking at the top level in Northland where they've started to embrace local players rather than recruiting from outside all the time and that's got to pay off eventually," he said.
Pihema started his rugby career as a prop before shedding a heap of weight to join the loose forward ranks. He was selected for the Taniwha as a specialist No6 and will cover lock.
His progress has ticked all the boxes for coach Derren Witcombe.
"He's very fit and with his background in Bay of Islands rugby he's a good, hard player with a very good rugby nous ... he's going very well so far and I can see him going further.
"If his body stays together he has the potential to make the step up to Super Rugby so it's going to be interesting to see how he goes this year," he said.
Pihema has been nursing a shoulder injury but is still hopeful of getting selected to play in this weekend's Ranfurly Shield Challenge in Waikato.
It might be a case of all the planets needing to align for Northland to hold aloft the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1979 but for Pihema and probably quite a few of the other Taniwha, Rene Ranger's decision to turn down a black jersey to lead the team could be enough of a star turn.
"The decision says a lot about him to turn down the ABs to play for his province - you wouldn't find too many players willing to do that and his leadership has definitely lifted the team another level," Pihema said.
Northland play Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday, 7.35pm.
