He came to visit family – cousin Arnie Hema, his wife Jayne and nephews Aidan and Jordan (aka Buster) – and found it hard to leave.
He is now very settled with his partner Tracey Roberts, stewardess at Brighouse Sports Club, and they make a great team behind the bar.
The couple live in the flat above the club and after 14 years, Brighouse is now most definitely his home.
Indeed Des says that he would never try to persuade Tracey to move to New Zealand as she has too many things to keep her in England.
Back home, which is Rotarua on New Zealand's north island, Des worked in a sawmill and was sent to go and work in Japan by his bosses.
"They decided that it would be good to send me to their works in Fukuyama. I spent a whole year there and when I went back home I realised that I wanted to see a little bit more of the world."
While Des himself has never gone on to the play rugby professionally he had a season at Old Brodleians alongside his brother Stephen, who is still there, and he has always played for Brighouse Rangers at prop.
Of course with Arnie's involvement in the Rangers coaching set up he was soon roped into the squad and also joined the New Zealand UK Residents Masters squad, which is run by Arnie and Martin Moana the former Auckland Warriors, Halifax and Huddersfield professional.
"It's great to be involved in something like the Masters. You get to play along side players like Willie Poching (ex Wakefield Wildcats, Leeds Rhinos and Samoa head coach) and Latham Tawhai (ex Hull KR, Doncaster and Harlequins assistant coach) and on top of that you are raising money for charity at the same time.
"I know that there are plans for us to play a few curtain raisers before Super League games."
"Although I have been over here for quite some time now I am still not used to the cold weather and I just hope it warms up a bit before I have to get my shorts on. The Masters raise money for The Adam Watene fFund and Life for a Child so I will put up with it.."
As Des is quick to point out his family builds them big and another member of the family that is making great strides in the game, of who the whole family is very proud, is Sydney Roosters front rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
"Jared started his professional career at Manly-Warringah and then went on to the Roosters.
"It was a very proud moment for all the family when he made is debut for the Kiwis last year in the Four Nations and he scored two tries.
"He has a long way to go in the game yet as he is only 21, but no doubt Arnie and I will get him over here and you never know in to the Masters team one day. If he did come over here to play it would have to be for the Rhinos."
Des is heading back home this weekend for three weeks to see family and friends but then it is back to it as he says busy times are ahead at the club as he said that the function room has quite a few bookings.
"While we have a few parties booked it would always be nice to see some new members come through the door. We have a Mothers Day lunch coming up but I am really looking forward to St Patrick's Day."
Away from the club and playing rugby his other interests include playing golf, of which he says he is terrible and following Leeds Rhinos.
"When I arrived here everyone was a Bradford Bulls fan so I thought it would be more interesting to follow their nearest rivals. Rick and I went over to Wrexham last Friday and it was freezing. I go to every home game as I have a season ticket and get to as many away games as I can. I took Aidan with me last year and decided to buy him a season ticket for Christmas.
"It works out cheaper for me now as just have to find the money for his burgers."