Plying his trade with tips learnt from some of Northland's best, the move North helped Hawkins make a name for himself.
Only playing several games for the Tasman Makos ITM side, as a young buck fresh out of high school, he said the generosity and opportunities on offer in Northland had been "life-changing".
"I love it here and I definitely want to come back," Hawkins said.
"I can't comment on what's happening there in the future because I don't know yet but this place really gave me a chance in rugby and sort of changed my life to be honest. It's just like a bigger picture of Picton - it's a beautiful thing.
"I think I have learnt how to relax up here, at Tasman I was a bundle of nerves at times. I've come up here and learnt off guys like Rene Ranger and Dan Pryor who are some of the most kicked-back characters you'll ever meet. I just thought 'if they're that good and they're relaxing, maybe I should do it' and that's what I've done."
Though the elation of his recent offer has been hard to shake off, Hawkins said he's got bigger jobs on his mind at the moment - like bringing the Ranfurly Shield back to Northland on August 16.
"It's day-by-day for me really - I'm really focused on this first game for Northland," he said.
"It's livin' the dream really for me, the boys are all looking good. This crowd's looking the fittest we've ever had, the new coaching's good and we're focusing on the development game first up, obviously with an eye on the Ranfurly Shield.
"The boys are pretty barred up, ready to go for gold. There's no reason we can't take it."
The Taniwha play a Northland development side this Friday, 6pm at Mid Western.
Squad opt for two captains
Northland's ITM Cup squad have chosen two leaders as the team look toward this season's campaign and Ranfurly Shield match against Hawkes Bay on August 16.
Hooker Matt Moulds and loose forward Dan Pryor have been selected to share the captaincy after the squad went through an internal process to select who they felt was most competent for the leadership roles.
With less than 20 days from kickoff, Northland coach Richie Harris said Moulds and Pryor projected a great sense of leadership and belief within the team.
"Danny sort of presented as the captain but with him being away [due to injury] and not involved early on we sort of saw Mouldsy as important going through so then we decided to skin it with two captains."
With uncertainty still surrounding Pryor's return after dislocating an elbow, against the Chiefs, Harris noted Moulds displayed aptitude as a leader which had rubbed off on teammates.
"I was fortunate enough to sit on Mouldsy's review down at the Blues. They said he'd taken more of a leadership role ... plus they thought that it [further leadership] was well within his capability.
"When Danny comes back we'll play it by ear so Mouldsy could well lead them all the way through."
