Manu (22) was one of the big signings for the Highlanders last season but the Canterbury loose forward had his season ruined by injury.
He was injured after seven minutes against the Crusaders in the first game of the season and did not take the field againfor the side.
It took him about six weeks to get over the knee injury and, on his way back, he pulled a hamstring, and was never in the frame for a start.
He played a few club games for Green Island to work his way back into fitness but he was not able to work his way back into the Highlanders.
With his path to the Crusaders No 8 position blocked by All Black No 8 Kieran Read, Manu has decided to move to the Highlanders for a second season.
He told The Press newspaper he had talked to new Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph about moving south and having a good season for the Highlanders.
Although he was not a certainty to start at No 8 for the Highlanders, Manu said it should be easier to make the team than the Crusaders where Read was in front of him.
Joseph said Manu had indicated he was keen to come back so the franchise had signed him up.
"He was part of the Highlanders last season and wants to come back and be involved again this year," Joseph said.
"He is a good player and has a different set of skills as opposed to someone like Adam Thomson, which is great for the team."
Joseph, who will move permanently with his family to Dunedin over the next couple of weeks, said he had been impressed by the workrate shown by Manu, and his ability around the field.
Manu had a disrupted start to his ITM Cup season when he was hit by another knee injury but he has returned to the Canterbury team and will play against Wellington in Christchurch today.
Manu's signing will give the Highlanders an exciting mix in the loose forwards, with Manu and Thomson joined by the likes of Alando Soakai, John Hardie and Manawatu skipper Nick Crosswell.
Inside back Michael Hobbs will not be coming back to the Highlanders franchise.
Hobbs has had back surgery in the United States and will be out of rugby until the middle of next year.
He suffered the injury early last year while playing for the Blues and had six months off before being picked for the Highlanders and gaining a medical clearance.
Hobbs impressed for the Highlanders early in the season but was hampered by the back injury and did not see the season out after having his hand broken a month out from the end of the season.
