He is about to be married. Then he will jet to all corners of the world, playing the sport he loves.
And finally, if it all goes to plan, he will be part of the biggest sporting event to be held in New Zealand.
Ives, a former University A and Otago B lock, has just been picked for a Japanese squad to start training for the World Cup.
Despite being born and bred in the South, he qualifies for the Japan side after spending three years in the country, playing for Sanyo.
He first spoke to Japanese coach John Kirwan about playing for Japan late last year.
"I knew you had to be there for three years to qualify under the residency rules and then in December JK [Kirwan] gave me a ring and said he was impressed with the way I was playing. Then just before the season ended he told me to go away, have a good rest, get the body right and then get back into it," Ives said.
But is playing for Japan what he wants to do? He grew up, like most New Zealand boys, wanting to wear an All Black jersey.
"I didn't have to think about it much. I'm 26 now and, though playing for Otago is something I still want to do, to play any higher would be a push.
"If you want to play some international rugby there is no bigger stage to play than the World Cup."
Japan is scheduled to play the All Blacks in Hamilton in the World Cup on September 16.
Before that the squad will play in the Asian Five Nations and the Pacific Nations Cup.
Ives was not a big name when he arrived in Japan but the lock has grafted his way to success with the Sanyo side, which also had Tony Brown in its ranks.
Brown called the Otago union about four years ago, wanting a lock to come over and fill in for some pre-season matches.
Ives got the call and flew over but played in only two matches.
He then returned to Dunedin, to finish off his building apprenticeship, but Brown told him to keep fit, as his services might still be needed.
They were, and he has enjoyed tremendous success in the past three years with Sanyo, culminating in winning the top league title this year.
"That was the first time they've won it for 51 years, so that was pretty special. It meant a lot to the company and the town."
Ives said Sanyo was probably the equivalent in ability of a team about the middle reaches of the ITM Cup, but the standard was improving all the time.
Along with Brown, he was joined by Australians Daniel Heenan and Sam Norton-Knight, and young Christchurch flanker Kieran Black came into the side last year.
Crusaders trainer Ashley Jones is the fitness trainer for Sanyo.
Only three foreign players per side are allowed on the field at any one time.
Ives played 13 of the team's 17 games last season.
Ives said Brown was an outstanding co-coach and would be a huge asset to Otago in future years.
Ives was based in the town of Gunma, about an hour and a-half from Tokyo, where the Sanyo factory operates, and said the lifestyle was great for his family.
"It's pretty awesome, really. To be paid for playing a sport you love is pretty hard to beat."
He will be married to Emily Cox on March 21 in Nelson.
The couple have two children Addison (2) and Nathanial (1).
