"Everybody was absolutely rapt and make it clear they're keen to return," he said. "We're certainly keen on European teams being involved, so we're looking at bringing it forward earlier in the year to make that possible."
The timing of European leagues means the necessity of avoiding a clash. World No 1 the Netherlands, third-ranked England and sixth-ranked Germany would be significant drawcards.
HNZ hosts the women's World League final in 2017 and it'll be held at the newly-refurbished national centre at Rosedale Park in Albany. The hope is that will be the springboard for hosting more major international events, with the World Cup 2022 in HNZ's sights.
Sport New Zealand has invested $2.5 million and the entire project - due to start next April and aimed to be completed by late 2016 at the latest - is estimated to cost just under $9 million.
A formal partnership between HNZ, North Harbour Hockey and the Charitable Trust, which owns the facility is in place.
The facility will incorporate improved community sport facilities, a high performance centre for the sport, covered seating for 350, along with uncovered seating for 1200 spectators, significantly upgraded lighting, three of the four fields returfed in the same turf as will be used for the Rio Olympics, and with the spinoff of enhancing New Zealand's chances of hosting major events.
Having the high performance centre a few minutes drive from the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health made sense.
"This isn't about building a new stadium from scratch that will only be used for the Black Sticks. It's about upgrading an existing facility to meet the requirements of both a growing hockey community and New Zealand's high performance teams," Harris said.
Harris said Auckland is desperate for more hockey facilities. He believes about 12 additional turfs will be needed over the next 10 years. Among the ideas being considered is getting turf down at Colin Maiden Park in Glen Innes.
HNZ is working with North Harbour, Auckland and Counties Manukau associations to put together a 10-year plan for facilities in the region. The immediate focus will be on securing the remaining funding and the resource consent phase is under way.
• Black Sticks captain Dean Couzins will play his 300th test in tonight's rematch against Australia in Perth.
He will become just the second New Zealander in history to reach the milestone, with teammate Phil Burrows the only other player over 300 tests.
Couzins, who made his debut in 2001, will be keen to mark it with an improved performance after the first international was lost 4-1 on Thursday night.
The Black Sticks will travel to Kuantan, Malaysia for the Champions Challenge starting on April 26.
