Christie may never have achieved the All Blacks' goal while part of a dominant Crusaders Super Rugby side, but he said helping Newcastle to success would be some compensation.
Christie, a former world champion with the New Zealand Under-20 team in 2017, and the side's captain in 2018, told the BBC, "When I reflect on that first half of my career in New Zealand, I am proud of what we did achieve, albeit falling short of the black jersey.
"But now we're here, we're present with this and ready to rip in and turn this club around.
"That will be equally as rewarding if we can, along with the other guys here, get this club into the top of the Premiership, or winning it, and then the same in Europe."
It is going to be a challenge. Newcastle, sponsored by Red Bull, sits last in the Premiership five games into the season, a position it has filled at the end of the last three competitions.
Putting an end to the losses is the goal of the club and its new sponsors.
"Red Bull has come on board, and that's where they see this club going, and I'm aligned with that. They're going to put the resources in place and make sure the team stays competitive.
"The results haven't been going our way, but there's a real mindset for growth and determination to get better. We'll put some finishing touches in and grow week by week and the end product will be winning games."
The club is looking to Christie's expertise on the tackle and at the breakdown to help improve performances.
Joining him at the club are former British & Irish Lions Liam Williams and Christian Wade, Japan backrower Amanaki Mafi and Argentine halfback Simon Benitez Cruz.
The club has changed its director of rugby, with Steve Diamond, who signed Christie, being ousted after one game this season. Head coach Alan Dickens reports to new general manager Neil McIlroy, while Scotland's coach and former international, Gregor Townsend, is working in an advisory role with the side.
Christie said the new sponsors were putting in place people who align with their vision for the team and its improvement.
The politics of it all were not something he could comment on.
"I'm just confident with what we've got here now, and it's going to take us where we need to go."
