"When you've played on the Tall Blacks and Breakers together as long as we have, you build a pretty strong bond and both those guys have had my back at times. For me to come and play with them is a pleasure, something I'm really excited about. And I certainly plan on playing some good basketball, not just limping over the line."
The re-signing of Penney says something about the way the Breakers - this year's beaten finalists - have operated. The other players on the confirmed roster are Mika Vukona, Thomas Abercrombie, Alex Pledger and Corey Webster, who were all there in 2011 along with Henare and Boucher.
Penney, who played a handful of games for the Miami Heat and LA Clippers in the NBA over a decade ago, has seen the world since then, with a CV that includes teams in Spain, Israel, Lithuania, Germany and Turkey. He deliberately sought out short term deals - he even opted out of the second year of a contract in Israel - preferring a life experiencing different cultures.
Kirk and his wife Audra now have little Olivia, and the timing has proved perfect for a return home.
"I've maintained a great relationship with the club since I last played with them," he said.
"When I first left, I thought I'd definitely come back but over the five years, there have been moments or two when I thought 'no way', this will probably have a different kind of finish. But when Pauly took the reins and Dillon came in, straight away there was some banter about how they wanted me to be part of it again.
"At this point in the career, you really want to enjoy the game, the journey of a season.
The highs and lows will come...you just try to be supportive of the players, encourage them, enjoy the winning and try to pick everyone else up when there are some losses."
A delighted Henare said: "Kirk is one of the game's premier scorers as was seen last season with a standout season for Illawarra.
"He has always been a player to look after himself and it is that professional attitude and work ethic that will be of huge benefit to us on court, but also in bringing leadership qualities off court.
"What's more we have Kirk on a three-year deal that will enable him to see out his career back home and for us to build into the next chapter."
Boucher said: "We couldn't be more excited and that excitement is spreading very quickly throughout our membership and stake holders. Paul is building something very special."