The German-born Segner has been in New Zealand for eight years since deciding to come to Nelson College to learn rugby. He was determined to show his family that the sacrifice of being apart from them had been worthwhile.
His parents and younger brother are joining him later this month to celebrate his choice.
Segner said Auckland had started to feel like home for him, and he was grateful to have some security and a plan for his future with the two-year deal, including playing for Auckland.
"That makes things a lot easier, and I'm looking forward to connecting with those boys as well. There are a decent number of boys in this team from Auckland who I know already, but I am looking forward to catching up with the others.
"But, first and foremost, we've got a championship to win here and the Blues are my focus, and our focus is on at the moment."
Segner said there was plenty of competition in the Blues loose forwards, but that was one of the reasons for re-signing.
"In my eyes, competition is what makes you a better player and me competing with those world-class guys like Dalton [Papali'i], Hoss [Hoskins Sotutu] and Aki [Akira Ioane], and the list goes on as well, makes me a better player."
Segner said while it was tough to leave the Nelson base where he had been coming to since high school, which was a stepping-stone through Tasman and then to Super Rugby, his career moved on.
"That chapter ends and another one starts. I'm very much looking forward to it up here in Auckland."
His ability to play in each of the three loose forward positions would continue to develop, as his view was that as long as he was on the field, he didn't mind where.
The Blues have won both games in DHL Super Rugby Pacific this year and had a strong start through their pre-season.
"We had an awesome trip to Japan that gave us good time to connect as a team and learn the Japanese way of playing rugby. But the next challenge awaits down in Wellington which we're prepping for now."
Segner said the set piece was a source of pride to the Blues, as was their defence.
"We trust our systems, and we have good systems in place for this week again. We like playing direct with our big athletes straight down the middle of the park and then we let the backs finish if off."
He has been working on increasing his weight among some bigger athletes and said he is learning to throw the extra weight around more efficiently. But playing experience was also necessary.
"I just want to be the best rugby player that I can be, especially for the Blues, and if further honours develop then that's great for me in my career."