Mulipola (26) has not made an appearance for Otago this season, and has been picked up by Tasman as it has injury problems in the backs.
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said Tasman had been in touch last week about Mulipola and he headed north yesterday.
Reid said the union did not have an issue with Mulipola going to Tasman.
"They have got a few injuries. Lucky was keen to go back there so we didn't have any problem with it."
Reid said Mulipola had limited opportunities, having broken his arm in the first game of the Super 14 last year, and then struggling with form when he came back into the side last year.
Many were surprised when he was included in the Highlanders this year and he made just one appearance off the bench for the southern franchise.
The Samoan-born winger has had off-field issues and was sentenced to community work and ordered to pay $5000 emotional harm reparation after assaulting a man in Dunedin in April last year.
He was also fined $1000 and disciplined by the New Zealand Rugby Union for the same offence last year.
He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault with intent to injure and a trial date has yet to be set.
His bail conditions have been changed in accord with his move north.
The incident occurred on May 22 in the centre city.
He was suspended by the NZRU for four weeks over that incident, and will not be available to play or train with Tasman until after September 7 when the suspension endsReid said Mulipola had off field issues but the reality was there was other players ahead of him and playing well and Mulipola was just sitting on the bench.
Mulipola's contract with Otago was up at the end of the season, and Otago will be extremely unlikely to sign him.
Tasman chief executive Peter Barr said the side had injuries, and needed some back-up in the outside backs and Mulipola fitted the bill.
He admitted Mulipola had discipline issues, but believed the Tasman union could put in the support structures for the winger.
"I understand he was a little unsettled in Otago and he did not have sufficient support down there resulting in him getting into trouble," Barr said.
"But we never had an issue with him in Nelson, and he is familiar with the town and in particular he has had a bit to do with one of our coaches Bevan Cadwallader."
Mulipola made his debut for Nelson Bays in 2003, and was signed by the ORFU in 2007.
He played just nine games for Otago, scoring three tries.
