But he had no idea whether the blockbusting All Black winger was coming to the franchise and when any decision would be made.
Gear travelled to Dunedin on Friday to meet Joseph and check out the city and training facilities.
Gear, who was the form winger in New Zealand last year, had an up and down season with the Hurricanes this year, suffering an injury in the first game and then not getting many opportunities, as the Hurricanes unravelled on and off the field.
The 27-year-old is off contract with the Wellington-based team and is assessing his options.
Joseph said Gear was obviously a player who interested the Highlanders.
"One of the biggest things with a lot of these guys is the perception they have of Dunedin. So it was really good that Hosea wanted to come down here and check it out for himself," Joseph said.
"So that is step one in the process, that he actually took the time out to come here and see what we are about.
"But there is no real timeline on when he is signing and he has got a lot of other stuff going on at the moment."
Gear was named in the All Black Tri-Nations squad on Sunday but is in doubt to start the first test of the year against Fiji at Carisbrook on July 22 because of his hamstring injury.
With Ma'a Nonu and Andrew Hore surplus to requirements at the Hurricanes, and Piri Weepu and Aaron Cruden both making noises about moving on, Gear may also want to look elsewhere.
The Hurricanes are believed to have put an offer to Gear.
Joseph has coached Gear both for Wellington and for the New Zealand Maori.
He was the stand-out player for the New Zealand Maori last year in its internal tour under Joseph.
If he does sign, it would be a huge coup for the Highlanders, who need another gamebreaker or two to back up the solid work carried out this season.
