Kean has also revealed the Highlanders would consider taking a preseason game overseas if they felt it would provide good preparation and would make financial sense.
The club’s new-look board had their first meeting in Dunedin the day before the Bledisloe Cup test and there was plenty to talk about.
It might be the offseason, but the Highlanders have been busy reviewing the topsy-turvy 2023 campaign and shoring up the roster for next year.
Kean said he was "very happy" with the recruitment and contracting process that has centred on locking in deals for the new generation of talent emerging in the South and bringing in sizzling backline talent (Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Timoci Tavatavanawai) and proven forwards (Tom Sanders and Mitchell Dunshea) from outside.
"Always part of our strategy was to bring through the younger guys that we’ve talked about for a while now, but also clearly we’re trying to balance that with some experience and some older heads.
"We’ve got real excitement with the young guys, but it’s also good to have that experience there.
"We’ve recruited well, I believe. Now we’re just looking for a few more, but we’re getting very close to a full roster."
The Highlanders do not reveal their financial situation, but their board is now loaded with business brains and they are working hard to get the club as competitive as possible in a difficult market.
"We’ve always been fiscally aware, so we generally work towards trying to have a bit of a buffer," Kean said.
"We’re certainly not breaking any records, but we’re holding our own.
"We’re all pretty astute businesspeople and we know how a balance sheet and a profit and loss works.
"As long as we are realistic with your budget, we can work within our means. But it would be good to thrive rather than just survive, in terms of financially."
New Zealand Rugby’s formalised link with Japan seems likely to mean closer tries with that country at all levels of rugby.
It raises the intriguing prospect of the Highlanders — who once had Fumiaki Tanaka in their ranks, while former coaches Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown now guide the Brave Blossoms — taking a preseason game to Japan.
"Those sort of things are still in discussion," Kean said.
"The links with Japan have become stronger over the last few years, which is really good.
"We have to balance what is the right travel schedule for our team based on when the draw comes out.
"We have to look and see how it would affect our first couple of games if we did travel overseas versus trying to play games in the community, and we’re very aware we need to nurture our community and our fans.
"Certainly there is a financial element to it, too."
Marc Ellis, the new co-owner and board member, appeared at the first meeting of the new Highlanders board via Zoom as he was hit by illness.
Kean said the board followed the meeting with a function with various New Zealand Rugby dignitaries in Dunedin for the Bledisloe Cup test, including chairwoman Patsy Reddy, Otago-based board member Rowena Davenport, new board member Catherine Savage, president Max Spence and chief executive Mark Robinson.
