"It's about increasing capability in the game and co-operation on a whole host of areas."
Harris believes opportunities have been squandered in the past to tighten the ties between New Zealand and Australia, who are among the leaders in the game.
Australia are ranked No 1 in the men, No 5 in the women, while New Zealand sit sixth and fifth respectively.
They already see each other regularly at international tournaments; Harris is keen for more bilateral arrangements and that extends to areas such as club competitions, possibly enlarging the national hockey league, and double header internationals.
"My understanding is the Aussies have been nervous about giving New Zealand hockey a leg up. I think they're understanding now that where rugby used to be, in reverse, years ago, for hockey to grow in the region we need to cooperate."
Hockey Australia chief executive Cam Vale is supportive, according to Harris, who favours starting with small steps and working up.
He cites rugby's Bledisloe Cup, netball and its ANZ championship as examples where the countries have made competition beneficial for both countries. In the cases of basketball, soccer and rugby league, where New Zealand have one team entries in Australian competitions there are also lessons to be learned.
"Let's put it all in and see what's going to work for hockey because nothing is surer than we're going to do something."
HNZ have a range of initiatives under way. There is a five-year strategic plan, five high performance managers are in place and three more are being sought under new high performance boss Terry Evans.
At last count there are 69,000 registered players, coaching development programmes under way and plans to beef up a regional high performance environment so players are not necessarily obliged to travel to get quality coaching.
Plans are in train to enhance the Rosedale Park complex in Albany with the aim of hosting a World Cup in 2022, having missed out for 2018.
The women's world league finals are already confirmed for 2017.
